No indication ex-DBM exec Lao has fled – Roque

FILE PHOTO: Lloyd Christopher Lao/PS-PHILGEPS PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said former Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS) head Christopher Lloyd Lao, who is currently facing a Senate inquiry on the purchase of alleged overpriced pandemic supplies, is still in the Philippines.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he spoke with Lao and there is no indication that he is out of the country.

“Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya. Nakausap ko siya sa telepono at mukha namang walang indikasyon na wala siya sa bansa,” he said in a Palace briefing. 

(I don’t know where he is. I have spoken with him over the phone and there seems to be no indication that he has left the country.)

Senate Minority Franklin Drilon said a hold departure order should be issued against Lao and officials of the small firm that bagged billions of pesos worth of government contracts for pandemic supplies.

He said has heard “rumors” that the former budget official is supposedly planning to leave the country.

The Senate blue ribbon committee is currently investigating the controversial procurement of “overpriced” personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks and shields made by the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS), under Lao’s leadership, on behalf of the Department of Health in 2020.