GREEDY TRADERS
NBI tapped to probe profiteers
Dismayed by the “greed” of some traders in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, President Duterte has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to “study very carefully” allegations that a local supplier was selling overpriced medical equipment in the country.
President Duterte has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to “study very carefully” allegations that a local supplier was selling overpriced medical equipment in the country.
The President issued the directive after inquiring from the Cabinet about reports of a couple allegedly selling medical equipment at a higher price compared to other suppliers.
“NBI should study the matter very, very carefully,” Duterte said in his remarks aired on state television.
Duterte said the government should “act accordingly” and deal with the case in a legal manner.
He said the NBI may charge the person or entity if it has obtained probable cause that a crime was committed.
“Let’s look at it on what it is legally sans ‘yung mga suspicion. A er all, it’s not easy to charge a person. If the NBI has the probable cause, then go ahead,” he said.
“But I still believe in...the presumption of regularity in the performance of their duties,” he added.
It was former Health Secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin who urged the President to order a probe into the ”very enterprising” couple.
Garin said the couple allegedly made it hard for the private sector to access testing equipment and supplies.
She further said the couple allegedly hoarded testing kits a er being granted “exclusive distributorship” privilege by some state agencies.
Before issuing the order to the NBI, the President asked the officials present in the meeting if the reports were true.
Duterte also said he was interested to know if “dirty money changed hands.”
“Let me ask you this very crucial question. I just want to be satisfied really. Ano itong sinasabi nilang mas mura doon at itong Co na mag-asawang – spouses Co are the dealers of itong iyang nabili ninyo at mahal? (What are these allegations that it is cheaper there and the Co couple are dealers of the equipment you bought at a high price?) Is there really a price difference there or haka-haka lang nila ‘yan? (or just speculation?)” he asked.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was among officials present in the meeting with the President, denied knowing the couple and asked if another government official might know them instead.
Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lloyd Lao came forward and identified the Co couple as the owners of Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems Inc., the exclusive distributor of
Sansure medical equipment in the country.
Lao, a lawyer, served as officer-in-charge of the Procurement Service, an attached agency of the DBM.
Lao informed the President that Omnibus once offered to sell automated extractor machine to the government for ₱4.325 million but lost to a Hong Kong-based firm in the bidding.
Three other local suppliers also tried to sell the same equipment at much higher price, he added.
When the incident reached China-based Sansure company, Lao said its officials went to the country and offered to sell directly here.
They met with Sansure officials last Friday at the DBM office.
He said Omnibus was willing to reduce the price of the medical equipment but he rejected the offer and went straight to the manufacturer.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque agreed the couple should be investigated for alleged profiteering and hoarding.
“This is very serious kasi nga the only source that we can get these PCR machineries and kit is from Sansure now and there was really almost an attempt to blackmail us into buying something very expensive,” Roque said.