[ad_1]
SEN. Panfilo Lacson said that the Senate hearing on the government’s mass immunization program against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) had exposed an attempt by some people to pocket $ 350 million or P16.8 billion in public funds in the form of bribes.
“At the center of the firestorm that nearly consumed the two-day hearings and the most consumed of us was the Sinovac vaccine for several reasons,” the senator said in a privileged speech.
When Senate hearings raised more questions than answers about Sinovac, “our officials were stuttering and stuttering, leaving us with a series of shifting pronouncements,” he emphasized.
Perhaps if the Senate did not address the controversy over Sinovac and assuming the [supposed] The original price of P3,629 or $ 38 for two doses or P1,814 equivalent to $ 19 per injection was followed, compared to $ 5 [price] in Thailand, the price difference of 25 million doses would easily reach $ 350 million or P16.8 billion [savings for the government or kickbacks for some people]”Lacson said in Filipino and English.
That being said, I am not prepared to accuse anyone in particular of corruption. Rather, it defies logic to suspect at least one attempt to overestimate the vaccine, ”Lacson said.
“Once again, when there is an attempt to overvalue, isn’t it also logical to think that na may kikita ng limpak-limpak na salapi (that someone will earn a great deal of money [from this vaccine procurement])? “he added.
“When the Pfizer problem came up, we asked, ‘Who dropped the ball?” We haven’t even received a clear answer, Mr. President. And now, with the Sinovac vaccine, we ask: “Who lowered the price?” I ask.
Lacson agreed that Senator Francis Pangilinan’s resolution that led to the Committee of the Whole hearings helped expose Sinovac’s apparent overpricing.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said inconsistencies in the price of vaccines had created apprehension among the people.
“The public is concerned that some people may be receiving bribes for the purchase of vaccines,” he said.
“Let’s not forget that under our Constitution, the right to information is a basic rule. People deserve the truth, “added the senator.
“Now, secretary [Carlito] Galvez [Jr.] He said the price cannot be disclosed because there is a confidentiality agreement. I dispute that but I am willing to give in, “he continued.
“I am discussing that because in the case of Chávez against the Public Property Authority, the Supreme Court said that people have the right to know what happens at each stage of the negotiation,” Drilon said. “My message to Secretary Gálvez, he said that he had signed a term sheet. If there is a term sheet, it shows price, volume and delivery time. “
What was written there? That is no longer covered by confidentiality [clause] because it has already been signed. The term sheet can no longer be changed, ”Drilon said in Filipino.
“For me, Secretary Gálvez, this is your obligation to inform the people. These are public funds. The people have the power to demand information as established by our Constitution and Supreme Court ”, he stressed.
“They say why politicize [the vaccine procurement]? We are not politicizing it. We are only examining the management statements. Why don’t they want to say how much (why are they refusing to reveal the price)? ” I ask.
Pangilinan said that the Senate in its hearings broke the overpricing pattern on several Covid-related products, including the price of the Sinovac vaccine.
Drilon said that decisions about the choice of vaccines must be made on the basis of science: “Before inoculating our compatriots, you must be sure that it is safe and you must be sure that it is effective. The public’s confidence in our vaccination program is a great boost to recover our economy. “
[ad_2]
