Senators want probe on alleged overpriced PPEs, swab kits

Several senators on Monday said the alleged procurement of overpriced personal protective equipment (PPE) and swab kits for COVID-19 testing must be investigated.

This was after Senator Panfilo Lacson mentioned that he received such reports of "grossly overpriced" medical supplies that were purchased using government funds.

“While emergency measures are being practiced, government should start an investigation on the allegations,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.

“It's very disappointing and depressing to know that there are public officials who take advantage of the peoples' crisis. They should be jailed asap then throw away the key,” he added.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate committee on health, said explanations from concerned agencies will be demanded during the COVID-19 inquiry of the chamber to be held this week.

“We will require Department of Helath, Department of Budget and Management, and other concerned agencies to explain. We can give them the opportunity to shed light on this matter during the Senate Committee of the Whole hearings to be held in the coming days,” he said.

“The funds made available to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the needs of our people at this crucial time should be accounted for—up to the last centavo, and the public deserves to know how it is spent,” he added.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said he also wants the truth to surface.

“It's unconscionable how some individuals could even think of exploiting the purchase of medical supplies for their selfish ends, if reports are true," Pangilinan said.

“By jacking up prices of supplies such as swab kits and personal protective equipment, we get less units that what is needed, depriving the people and medical frontliners of the defenses they need to fight COVID-19," he added.

Senator Sonny Angara, meanwhile, said the allegations must be formally tackled in the appropriate venue.

“If there is evidence then those with actual knowledge should file a case with the Ombudsman or even the Senate Blue Ribbon committee,” he said.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said the Commission on Audit (COA) is mandated to do such checks.

“We have a government auditing system. COA should look into it and let us wait for COA’s findings,” he said.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday, Lacson said he wants to know if the reports he is receiving about overpriced PPEs and test kits are true.

“Ang mahal ng purchases nila. Ang alamin ko lang kasi nakakuha ako ng datos sa maraming civilian na nagboboluntaryo na sila mismo nagte-test sila mismo bibili ng PPE, private. Bakit ang presyo ng DOH, halimbawa ang PPE, bakit doble ang presyo ng DOH kesa sa presyo ng private organization?” he said.

In a Twitter post last week, Lacson said it seems like corruption has mutated at a “much deadlier pace” than the coronavirus.

“If the president’s oft-repeated threats in this regard continue to be ignored, hubris must be the order of the day for some officials,” he added.

Sen. Grace Poe in March also questioned the DOH's purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) sets at P1,800 each when market value was between P400 and P1,000.

The DOH explianed that what it bought at such price was a complete set of PPEs, including several other paraphernalias. —LDF, GMA News