THE SENATE investigation on the alleged misuse and deficiencies in the P67.373-billion fund intended for COVID-19 response by the Department of Health (DOH) should continue.
The Filipino people deserve nothing but the truth. The government owes it to us, the people whom the government is claiming to serve. The President should stop being defensive and verbally harassing senators in doing their work and mandate. The Senate is a co-equal branch of the Executive. Part of a healthy and transparent governance is maintaining the independence of the government branches in the exercise of carrying out its lawful mandate. The defensive and condescending reactions from President Duterte and his allies in the Senate such as Sen. Bong Go are a threat to the principle of checks and balances enshrined at the very core of our Constitution.
In the ongoing Senate committee hearing, the DOH was grilled for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sets worth P1,910 each for a total of P3.82 billion from the newly incorporated Pharmarlly Pharmaceutical Corporation. The Commission on Audit (COA) also flagged six other companies in its audit in 2020 where the DOH purchased masks and face shields.
We are now reeling from over 30,000 deaths due to COVID-19; we have also reached the two million mark of COVID-19 cases. Questionable purchases are an affront to Filipinos who are expecting that their taxes are judiciously spent by the government. Many Filipinos would have benefitted if only these funds were rightfully appropriated for the service of the people. Up until now, our medical frontliners are still waiting and fighting for their allowances and hazard pays. They have arduously sacrificed and served our people during this pandemic.
It is in this light that we pray that the Senate continue its investigation until the truth comes out, accountability is served, and justice is exacted. The people deserve to know the truth.
