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Pangilinan on Duterte's defense of Duque: Corruption inevitable if gov't turns blind eye on wrongdoings
By DONA MAGSINO, GMA News The problem on government corruption will not be solved if the officials will continue to brush off issues and condone wrongdoings, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday as he slammed President Rodrigo Duterte's defense of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III amid "overpricing" allegations.
"Hindi na ako magtataka kung tuloy-tuloy ang kurakot sa pondo ng gobyerno kung ganito ang palakad—mga sangkot sa katiwalian kinukunsinti at hindi pinaparusahan," Pangilinan said in message to reporters.
On Monday night, Duterte defended Duque amid allegations of overpriced government purchases of equipment in the fight against COVID-19.
“I gave him (Duque) the instruction and I admit it in public now. Sabi ko sa kaniya, ‘Do everything you can. I do not care if it's expensive. Go, just go ahead and do something about it kasi ipitan tayo dito,’” Duterte said
Pangilinan pointed out that the same lax treatment was given by the administration to other allegedly erring officials.
"Ganun din ang ginawa ng administrasyon kina Sinas, Faeldon, Tulfo, Albayalde, Calida, Aguirre atbp.," he said.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Major General Debold Sinas recently drew criticism for his mañanita controversy which sparked questions on fair implementation of quarantine protocols.
Duterte recently said he doesn't want the police official removed from his post despite the incident.
Prior to Duterte's defense of Duque, it was reported that he has been scouting for a replacement. Malacanang did not confirm or deny the information and simply said that all Cabinet officials serve at the pleasure of the President.
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"Itutulak pa rin natin ang pag-imbestiga ng overpriced na testing kits at testing machines sa Senado. Meron bang kumita at kung meron sinu-sino ito? Meron bang sabwatan sa pagitan DOH, DBM, Philhealth at iba pang mga ahensya?" he said.
"Dapat maisiwalat ito dahil buhay at kaligtasan ng milyon milyon nating mga kababayan ang inaagrabya at kapalit ng overpriced na mga kagamitan pangkalusugan," he added.
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed the same position with Pangilinan.
“I hope the statement of the President does not in any manner mean to absolve Sec. Duque. I call for a fair and impartial investigation despite the President’s pronouncement," he said in a press statement.
"These are taxpayers’ money we’re talking about here - to the tune of billions pesos getting wasted due to corruption or gross negligence,” he added.
He reiterated the issue raised against Duque is not the expensive PPEs and equipment but overpricing DOH supplies and PhilHealth’s testing package.
“Sec. Duque has been remiss in his sworn duties as a public servant that endangered billions of public funds. He has become a liability,” Drilon said.
The purchase of "overpriced" equipment for COVID-19 testing and supposed overpricing in the PhilHealth's testing package were among the issues raised during the Senate hearing last week.
Aside from the call of several senators for Duque's resignation, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) also urged Duterte to replace him.
“We have high regard for him as one among our esteemed colleagues in the healthcare industry but he seems to be already so exhausted that there is need for a fresh blood and a fresh mind to lead the DOH and the PhilHealth,” PHAPi president Rustico Jimenez said.—AOL, GMA News