MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday denied allegations that medical supplies, like personal protective equipment and masks, are overpriced, lashing out at lawmakers probing into government officials over emergency purchases last year.
The firebrand leader remains popular in the Philippines, but his administration is facing growing criticism over its handling of one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia.
“At the height of the pandemic, when it began, we had nothing,” said Duterte in a weekly late-night national address.
“It was costly because of lack of supply.”
Opposition lawmakers have questioned the government’s emergency deals to buy medical supplies from a lowly capitalised company with links to government officials.
In budget hearings, Health Ministry officials were grilled on unspent pandemic funds. State auditors have flagged “deficiencies” in more than US$1 billion (RM4.16 billion) in Covid-19 funds.
“Senate, do not investigate programmes that are ongoing. You will derail it by your incessant penchant for investigating government offices,” said Duterte.
With two million confirmed infections and 33,680 deaths, the Philippines has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases and fatalities in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.
Surging cases driven by the Delta variant are overwhelming hospitals, while healthcare workers have protested to end to what they call government neglect and unpaid benefits.
Duterte, who is banned by the constitution from seeking re-election, plans to run as vice-president next year. Critics see it as an effort to extend his power. – Reuters, September 3, 2021
