No overpricing in COVID-19 supplies, but PS-DBM should be abolished—House panel
FILE—Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation executives Linconn Ong and Mohit Dargani are detained in the Pasay City Jail. On Monday, The House blue ribbon committee recommended that charges for syndicated fraud be filed against them, including other officials.(Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — While the House of Representatives blue ribbon committee found no overpricing in the COVID-19 supplies procured by the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), it said the office should still be abolished as it has already “outlived its purpose.”
This was among the recommendations of the House committee on good government and public accountability—or blue ribbon committee—as disclosed by its chairman, Diwa Partylist Rep. Michael Aglipay on Monday.
“The Committee found that there was no overpricing in the purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment by the PS-DBM on behalf of [Department of Health],” Aglipay said in a press briefing.
“The procedure on emergency procurement pursuant to Bayanihan Act One undertaken by the PS-DBM… was consistent with applicable rules and regulations. There was nothing irregular nor illegal in the procedure applied by PS-DBM,” he added.
Despite this, the committee still recommended the abolition of PS-DBM.
Article continues after this advertisement“The Committee also recommends the abolition of the PS-DBM in order to streamline government functions and services,” Diwa said.
Article continues after this advertisement“PS-DBM has outlived its purpose considering that all agencies now have their own procurement department and BAC (Bids and Awards Committee),” he added.
The House panel also recommended that charges for syndicated fraud be filed against the following representatives of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp:
• Huang Tzu Yen;
• Linconn Ong;
• Mohit Dargani;
• Twinkle Dargani;
• Justine Garado;
• Krizle Grace Mago
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