A lawyer advised Senator Richard Gordon not to resort to dramatics in the investigation on alleged overpriced medical supplies.
Without proof, what Gordon is doing are mere “theatrical antics,” lawyer Larry Gadon said.
“As a lawyer, he should know that to prove overpricing, there should be evidence of price comparison at exactly that time when the purchase was made. The whole world was buying face masks and PPE (personal protective equipment) at that time and the supply was very scarce,” Gadon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) via text message on Friday night.
He said he bought face masks at PHP800 to PHP900 per box of 50 pieces last year, which he donated to various hospitals.
“A face shield locally made by enterprising merchants at that time costs PHP160,” Gadon added.
He said Gordon should be reminded of the economic theory of supply and demand.
“What may have possibly happened is that the PS-DBM (Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management) favored some suppliers who can immediately deliver, but that does not necessarily result in overpricing,” Gadon said.
Amid the clarification of the Commission of Audit (COA) that there was no overpricing in the purchase of medical supplies related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic response, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Gordon conducted its sixth inquiry on Friday on how government budget is being spent.
Retirement plans
At one point, Gordon said they are exhausted by the proceedings and that he is thinking of quitting politics when his six-year term ends next year.
He said he is not interested in running for other positions.
During the same hearing, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the smear campaign against President Rodrigo Duterte must stop.
“Huwag nyo na po kaming itulad sa iba. Pilit po dinudumihan ang kapwa para sila ang pumuti (Do not bunch us with the others who try to find fault to make themselves appear clean),” said Go, who was also prevented by Gordon from asking further questions addressed to Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Liong because his allowed time was up.
He likewise asked COA Chair Michael Aguinaldo to post on its website the agency’s observations and findings after the Department of Health and PS-DBM have filed documents needed to clear their procurement deals.
“Para, in fairness naman po sa mga ahensya na nagtatrabaho at gusto na pong makapagtrabaho. Kawawa naman po silang nahuhusgahan kaagad. Pero ‘pag may kasalanan, may pagkukulang, kasuhan nyo na po kaagad. Ipasa nyo na sa Ombudsman (To be fair to agencies that are working well. It’s a pity if they would be judged right away. If they did commit irregularities, charge them. Pass it on to the Ombudsman),” he said.
Go echoed Duterte’s earlier pronouncement that instead of conducting staged proceedings, the Senate should file criminal cases against those it thinks are involved in the procurement controversy.
Red Cross audit
Duterte has directed Solicitor General Jose Calida to request the COA to audit the funds received from the government by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which Gordon leads as chair and chief executive officer.
The PRC itself questioned Gordon in 2013 when baller bracelets bearing his name were distributed during a disaster relief drive.
About 500,000 rubber bracelets reportedly cost PHP8.5 million.
Gordon lost in the senatorial elections that year. (PNA)