GO TO PROBE OVERPRICING OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go vowed to look deeper into the alleged overpriced medical supplies, equipment and packages, saying that corruption and abusive business practices should not be allowed.

At the same time, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate “very carefully” allegations that a local supplier was selling overpriced medical equipment amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Former Health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin called Duterte to order an investigation of a “very enterprising” couple linked to the overpricing of Covid-19 testing kits and machines.

In a taped public address aired late Monday night, Duterte expressed dismay over reports that the Co couple, who owns medical reseller Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems Inc., was allegedly selling Sansure medical equipment at a higher price compared to other suppliers.

“NBI should study the matter very, very carefully kasi alam mo...itong mga p*****i**** mga negosyanteng ‘to (because you know, these son of a b**** businessmen) it’s really an issue of humanity and their greed,” Duterte said.

The President also warned businessmen against hoarding. Go, chairman of the Senate

Committee on Health and Demography, said they were ready to conduct an investigation on the alleged overpricing of medical supplies, equipment and packages, including Covid-19 test kits, reportedly purchased by the government or being sold by abusive entrepreneurs.

He added that the funds made available to address the Covid19 pandemic and the needs of the people at this crucial time must be accounted for up to the last centavo.

Go said he expects the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to continue reviewing its rates of test packages.

“We will also look into this to make sure that PhilHealth rates are in order to get the best value of every single peso the government spends for this,” Go added

“Kung may ma ki kit an ga nu mang anomaly a, pa na na gut in nat inang mg ao pi sy al na ito.Wa la pot a yong pi pi li in,wa lat a yon gs as ant uh in (If any anomaly is found, concerned officials will be made to account for their misdeeds. We will not spare anyone, there will be no sacred cows),” he added.

“Sam gap rib a dong ind ibidw al pa gk akita a no ga wing neg os yo ang kris is na ito. La hat pong mg a Pi li pi no ayn ag hi hi rap, hu wag niny on ang dag dag an pa.Huw ag ni yo na man pong gamitin ang pagkakataong ito para pa gs am ant ala han pa sila ( To private individuals, do not make profit or turn this crisis into a business. Filipinos are hard-up, please do not make the situation harder for them. Do not use this as an opportunity to take advantage of their vulnerabilities),” Go warned.

The senator gave assurances that the health and safety of Filipinos are the top priority as government lays down measures and protocols moving forward.