Senators ask Commission on Audit to look into gov’t COVID-19 spending

Several senators asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to check the government’s COVID-19 spending under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. They also urged COA to release its findings before Congress starts deliberations for the 2021 budget.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Leila De Lima, Sonny Angara, and Panfilo Lacson filed Senate Resolution 479 on Tuesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The senators outlined in the resolution the alleged various overpricing surrounding government procurements concerning COVID-19 response. It includes the nucleic acid extractors, which brought P4 million each, but the private sector acquired it for only P1.75 million.

The resolution also mentioned the alleged overpriced personal protective equipment (PPE) sets for health workers.

The senators also noted the government’s use of imported test kits from China and South Korea when the University of the Philippines already developed a cheaper one.

ADVERTISEMENT

The first Bayanihan law provided for exemptions from the bidding requirements of the Government Procurement Reform Act for faster procurement of the supplies to battle the pandemic.

“This health crisis should not allow us to relax our accountability measures. The people should be able to trust the government that no one is lining their pockets with taxpayers’ money,” Hontiveros said.

“This health crisis should not allow us to relax our accountability measures. The people should be able to trust the government that no one is lining their pockets with taxpayers’ money,” Hontiveros said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also read: Chiz Escudero: ‘It could have been worse’ argument a fallacy

The seven senators said they want to see the findings of Commission on Audit before they hold budget hearings for the 2021 General Appropriations Act.

“We are anticipating massive allocations to address health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19. It is of critical importance that there be audit findings to guide legislators in our exercise of the power of the purse,” Hontiveros said.

Pangilinan on Tuesday voted against the passage of Bayanihan 2 bill, which was on the third reading, saying Health Secretary Francisco Duque III must first resign before more budget would be given to the Department of Health.

“I’m afraid that under the mediocre leadership that has been displayed consistently since the pandemic hit us, none of these interventions will be met or achieved, and billions of funds will be spent again without achieving the results necessary,” he said.