DOH's transfer of over P42-B funds to DBM 'illegal,' says House panel chair

House committee on public accounts chairman Representative Jose Bonito Singson Jr. on Friday said there is a basis to call the Department of Health's (DOH's) transfer of at least P42 billion to the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS) as illegal.

"The transfer alone I think is questionable. Definitely, it's improper... inappropriate," Singson said in an ANC interview. "There might be some basis for illegality because DBM has its own budget, DOH has its own budget."

"It's juggling funds... Congress approves funds directly to agencies who made the presentation...  In this case, there were these funds that were approved specifically to the Department of Health...  [Do] they have discretionary powers? they don't..." he added.

This move is like transferring roles and responsibility and clearly should not be allowed, according to Singson.

He said even the Commission on Audit would go "crazy" for checking how the funds were utilized if they have been transferred from one agency to another.

During a Senate inquiry, the DOH was questioned over its sudden transfer of P42.4 billion worth of procurement to the DBM-PS eventhough the health officials are still capable of holding several procurement biddings.

The matter was also pointed out by the Commission on Audit in its 2020 audit report.

Senator Imee Marcos had mentioned the COA report, which showed that the DBM-PS had procured face masks at P27.22 each and face shields priced at P120 each.

During the Senate hearing, DOH's procurement director Paul Guimbarda explained that the suggested retail price for the items were “not yet valid” and they had looked at the “reasonable price existing at that time.”

It was also bared that it was former Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lao who was in-charge of the DBM-PS during that time. Lao resigned two months ago, according to DBM officer-in-charge Tina Rose Canda.

According to Singson, Lao could be called to attend the congressional inquiry as a resource person, as well as former Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, who recently resigned due to health concerns.—AOL, GMA News