Garin tags ‘very enterprising’ couple in overpriced test kits
The co-chairperson of the health cluster of the House Defeat COVID-19 Committee urged President Duterte to order the investigation of a couple linked to the overpricing of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing kits by devising ways of making importation difficult
for the private sector.
Rising on a question of personal privilege, Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin also slammed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for the high price of COVID testing rates that threaten the financial viability of the state-run medical care firm.
Garin aired strong suspicions that the alleged syndicate behind a number of PhilHealth anomalies are still operating by making testing expensive to PhilHealth members.
She cited PhilHealth for its efforts to help address the COVID-19 crisis but noted that the restrictive pricing of tests has counteracted its response.
Garin, who served as health secretary during the term of former President Benigno S. Aquino III, underscored the need for Filipinos to undergo testing, but this is being prevented by a couple engaged in the sale of testing kits she identified as “VE” for "very enterprising."
“This couple has been barring the importation of much-needed automated extractor machines,” said Garin.
As a result of the activities of the couple, COVID testing has slowed down in the country.
“President Duterte, pakitingnan po ang anomalyang ito sa importation ng automated extractor machines para matauhan ang mga ito (President Duterte, please look into this anomaly behind the importation of automated extractor machines to make them pay)," she said.
The “VE” couple, Garin said, has been operating to make it difficult for the private sector to access testing equipment and supplies unless they agree to purchase overpriced testing materials from them.
The operation of the couple was discovered by those involved in the implementation of the mass testing efforts of government.
Garin added that the “VE” couple has been hoarding testing kits after being granted the “exclusive distributorship” privilege apparently by concerned government agencies.
She also decried the failure of the Department of Health to address the need to temper the prices of COVID19 tests, saying now is the time for the agency to directly deal with manufacturers in order to reduce the cost and allow more Filipinos to have themselves tested.
Criminally liable
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon warned PhilHealth it could be held criminally liable if it pursues a hefty package rate for COVID-19 test kit for its members.
Drilon said he finds the ₱8,150 shouldered by PhilHealth for COVID19 tests “overpriced.”
“It’s sad to see PhilHeath having an overpayment of ₱4,150 for each test. The IATF said yesterday they
need to test 2 million Filipinos. If the overpayment is ₱4,150, the potential overpayment and loss for PhilHealth is at ₱8.3 billion,” Drilon said in Pilipino in an interview over TeleRadyo.
“If that is the amount PhilHealth will pay, that’s overpricing and during this time, when the government is struggling— there is deficit, lack of funds, and looking for funds for an economic stimulus—that is saddening,” Drilon pointed out in Pilipino.
“Babalik ang PhilHealth sa amin at sasabihin ko sa kanila ng deretso na this is a criminal act. Eight billion pesos (₱8 billion) ang masasayang at hindi naman kailangan, (Once PhilHealth faces us, I will tell them straight that this is a criminal act; ₱8 billion is going to waste when we could avoid that),” he stressed.
Asked what possible criminal charges PhilHealth will face, Drilon, in a separate text message, said its executives can be held liable under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practice Act, “as it is patent inimical to the people.”
“Payments are made to the hospitals and service providers. I do not know if refund is feasible under PhilHealth law and rules. But the COVID- 19 package must be immediately reviewed and reduced,” Drilon said.
During the Senate hearing, Duque assured Drilon that PhilHealth will immediately review its COVID-19 test package.