Duterte orders probe vs couple for COVID-19 testing machines; clears alleged overpriced PPE

May 27, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into a couple allegedly involved in profiteering and hoarding of coronavirus disease testing machines that were supplied to the Department of Health.

In a televised message on Monday night, Duterte, at the same time, allowed some of his officials to explain why the government had to purchase more expensive personal protective equipment than those bought by the private sector.

"The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) should study the matter very, very carefully because these sons of a b**** businessmen, whether it's really an issue of humanity and their greed, the hoarding, you cannot - it's part of the business practices which may call not even obnoxious, it's repulsive to the human mind when you start to think about it," he said referring to certain "Co couple," owners of Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems Inc, which claimed as the exclusive distributor of Sansure medical equipment in the country.

"Well, if the NBI has the probable cause, then go ahead. But I still believe in the what accrues to - accruing to government people working, the presumption of regularity in the performance of their duties," he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was present during the televised message of the President, said he did not know the couple.

"I do not know these two personalities, the Co. Somebody might know about this couple," he said.

Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Lao, also present in the event, said that the Co couple sent a letter to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, claiming that they were the exclusive distributor of Sansure in the Philippines.

The issue on the alleged overpriced purchase by the government of automated extraction machines were raised by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

The senator has said that the government purchased 10 nucleic acid extractor machines at P4 million each, much higher compared to the machines bought by the private sector at P1.75 million each.

Lao said during the bidding, Omnibus did not win, prompting the latter to complain why the government was not respecting its exclusive distributorship.

He said the issue reached Sansure Corporation, which sent its officers in the Philippines.

He said during their meeting with Sansure officials last Friday, they personally requested that the company sells directly to the Philippines.

Lao said Sansure, through Omnibus, is willing to to reduce the price.

But he said he made a categorical statement that "we are no longer willing to discuss with Sansure if they go through Omnibus because they were given a chance before when the government really needed it, and they gave us a very high price and threw the ball to us."

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, a lawyer, who was also present in the meeting, was the one who suggested that there was a basis to investigate the Co couple by the NBI for alleged profiteering and hoarding under the Anti-Profiteering Act and the Bayanihan Heal as One Act.

Meanwhile, during the televised message, Duterte asked for the demonstration of the alleged overpriced PPE that the DOH purchased using a mannequin.

Lao, in justifying the government procurement, said that the materials used for the DOH-purchased sets of PPE were "medical grade."

He said the locally made PPE "makes you feel secure but it's not actually medically safe for you to wear."

The official said they followed the standards set by the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration in the procurement of sets of PPE.

Duterte said he would rather have expensive sets of PPE that would ensure the safety of the health workers than those which are cheaper but would not give much security to those who would use the gears.

He said he did not want to put the lives of the health workers in jeopardy.

"That's the reason why we are spending money. And we will spend money. I said, we can always sell everything that we have," Duterte said. Celerina Monte/DMS