The Department of Health (DOH) denied Senator Manny Pacquaio’s allegation that the agency is engaged in the purchase of medicines that are about to expire.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the agency can purchase medicines with a shelf life of 18 to 24 months, or even 12 months during public health emergencies.
“Yun pong bumili para magkaroon ng discount ba or I don’t know what kind of negotiations, I can say na wala po kaming mga ganyan na nabibili na mga supplies or gamot. Because we are following the existing policies and laws of government,” Vergeire said during a July 5 media forum.
The DOH has yet to respond to the senator’s allegations pending documents from his office.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also refuted during his July 5 briefing Pacquiao’s allegations of corruption in the distribution of social amelioration program (SAP).
“Akala ko atom bomb, ‘yun pala watusi. Walang kwenta kasi puro generalized allegations po. Walang bill of particulars. Walang specific instance. Walang ebidensya. Wala man lang follow-up,” Roque said.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista said the agency is prepared to submit necessary documents and to face any investigation on the matter.
“Lahat ng pondong ibinigay sa financial service providers ay accounted for at walang nawawalang pondo. Ang lahat ng ayuda na ipinamahagi ay sinuportahan ng liquidation reports na maaaring ibahagi kung kinakailangan,” Bautista said.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi also said that “there was no corruption” in the establishment of an independent market operator (IMO), following the senator’s claim that a contract was awarded without bidding.
“The establishment of a market operator (IEMOP) [Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines] was in compliance with the EPIRA [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] law,” he said. – Report from Mark Fetalco and Naomi Tiburcio/AG-rir
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