Palace: ‘Premature’ to probe blacklisted firms getting deals for PPE supply
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines— It is “premature” to say that the government will investigate the three companies on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) blacklist, which secured deals to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the government, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he will have to get DBM’s side on the matter before giving his comment.
“Hindi ko po alam kung questionable yan kaya nga po tatanungin natin ang DBM kasi hindi ko pa po naririnig kung ano ang explanation galing sa DBM,” Roque said in an online briefing.
(I don’t know if that’s questionable so I will have to ask DBM because I have yet to hear their explanation.)
“So I think it’s premature to say we’re investigating and I will just clarify kung totoo, first and foremost na P750-million worth of PPEs ay na-award sa blacklisted company. If so, bakit at ano ang dapat gawin,” he added.
(So I think it’s premature to say we’re investigating and I will just clarify if it’s true that P720 million worth of PPEs was awarded to blacklisted companies. If so, why and what should be done.)
Despite being blacklisted, Ferjan Health Link Enterprises, Cebu Business Materials Trading Co. Inc., and Jozeth Trading secured P727-million worth of PPE and other supplies during the emergency procurement period.
