MANILA – Malacañang is set to report next week the government’s spending for its response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic following calls of several senators for a special audit.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque will have a PowerPoint presentation on Aug. 3 to put in detail the government spending even if the Palace submitted weekly reports before to Congress on its actions and spending.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng PowerPoint presentation on Monday kung magkano ‘yung natanggap ng gobyerno at paano po ginastos ‘yan para ipatunay po na wala pong tinatago ang gobyerno,” Roque said in a media briefing in Quezon City.
“Wala pong tinatago ang Presidente at ang Malacañang. Lahat po ng gastos, lahat po ng pera na ginastos para sa COVID-19, napunta po ‘yan para sa COVID-19 response ng gobyerno,” he added.
COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. also assured the public that funds meant for the pandemic response are really used to address the health crisis.
“Makakaasa po kayo na lahat ng salapi para sa COVID-19 ay talaga pong tinutuon sa pangangailangan natin,” Galvez said in the same virtual press conference.
Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier filed a resolution urging the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit on the pandemic spending before Congress debates on the proposed 2021 national budget.
“Allegations of overpricing have marred the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act that allowed to Duterte to realign billions of pesos in funds and granted exemptions to the bidding process,” said Hontiveros.
The call for a special audit was also supported by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Finance Committee Chair Sonny Angara, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and minority senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, and Leila de Lima./PN
