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Joint DOH, DBM probe into overpricing allegations in initial stage, says Duque

By DONA MAGSINO,GMA News

An investigation on the alleged overpriced equipment purchased by the government amid the COVID-19 crisis is in the pipeline, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday.

During a Senate hearing, Duque said a probe will be jointly conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

"Mayroon na po tayong initial documents na nakalap ng ating legal services office at ito po ay pagpupulungan ng ating legal services office at ng PS-DBM para ma-reconcile po ang mga numero o mga amount o figures na submitted," Duque said after he was asked by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go about the allegation.

"'Yung mga dokumentong ito ay isinasaaayos na po at hindi po magtatagal ay magkakaroon na tayo ng resulta ng atin pong joint investigation with the PS-DBM," he added.

Duque came under fire last week after senators quizzed him on the procurement of alleged overpriced equipment for COVID-19 testing and personal protective gears, as well as the costly PhilHealth testing package.

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President Rodrigo Duterte, on the other hand, defended Duque and said he takes responsibility for the actions of the appointed government official.

"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 in a televised briefing.

"Eto ngayon wala pang bakuna, so gusto ko lang malaman ng sambayanang Pilipino na I take full responsibility na utos ko na 'Dalian mo, wala akong pakialam kung sa’n ka magkuha, magnakaw ka… whether you steal, borrow, or kill a person to get what needs to be done,'" he added. — RSJ, GMA News