President Rodrigo Duterte is set to release an official report detailing the procurement of medical supplies and equipment on the government’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response efforts. This initiative came following the alleged reports of the Department of Health purchasing overpriced supplies.
Specifically, it was Senators Franklin Drilon and Panfilo Lacson who brought the issue up and asked for accountability from the health chief Francisco Duque III. The president dispelled all allegations and told the two solons to wait the official report out.
“May I inform Senator Drilon and Ping Lacson and everybody — ganun ang nangyari (that’s what happened). We will have a report coming your way and that is the stand of the Office of the President. Kami ho ang nag-utos niyan na dito na sa budget para pag-release ng pera madali, diretso na (We ordered the purchase so it would be faster),” he said.
In addition, Duterte defended the health secretary from suspicions that he himself is behind the anomalous transaction.
“They unfairly dragged the name of Secretary Duque — hindi ho totoo ‘yon. Ang nagbili noon ang budget pati ‘yung Office of the President mismo. Sinadya ko ‘yon para madali (that’s not true. The Department of Budget and Management and the Office of the President ordered the supply purchase. I intentionally did that so it would be quick),” he said.
The chief executive hopes that the release of this report from his office would be enough to quell all rumors surrounding the procurement of COVID-19 supplies.
