SBG backs continuation of COVID-19 fund probe

SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go said he supports the continuation of a Senate probe into the use of the funds allocated last year to combat the COVID-19 pandemic that was begun by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last August 18, 2021, adding the “Filipino people have the right to know the truth how public funds were spent.”

“Ako po ay miyembro ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Karapatan po naming busisiin ang bawat isyu para maipaliwanag sa tao ang totoo,” Go said in a radio interview on Saturday, August 21, 2021.

“Importante pong malaman ng publiko ang katotohanan. Dapat pong malaman ng publiko kung ano talaga ang nangyari ng mga panahon na ‘yun. Pera ng tao ‘yan dapat accounted lahat at dapat walang masayang o mawala,” he added.

During the first hearing, former undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management Lloyd Christopher Lao was mentioned when senators brought up the issue of prices of masks and face shields bought by the government at the early part of the pandemic that had been included in the initial findings of the Commission on Audit.

Lao, in a television interview, defended himself, saying that the masks and face shields were not overpriced and that the prices were “one of the cheapest” during that time last year.

Citing a report presented by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Go also mentioned in his interview that supplies of masks and face shields were low during the start of the pandemic last year.

“It was explained po by Sec. Mon Lopez kung gaano kahirap ang supply noong nakaraang panahon, na explain naman doon, ika nga nung unang panahon, ‘di nga natin alam ang face shield saan kukunin, saan bibilhin, ‘yun po ang sinasabi na may scarcity po at walang supply kaya mahal,” explained Go.

If irregularities are indeed proven, however, Go said that cases must be filed against those involved to hold them accountable.

“Lahat po ay dapat gawin. I am even urging the COA kung may nakita kayong irregularities, kasuhan na agad,” he said.

“‘Di naman po sa dini-dipensahan natin ang DOH. Kung nasa mali sila, talagang busisiin at papanagutin… siguro naging prudent din sila sa paggamit ng pera, pero kung pumasok kayo sa katiwalian, ibang usapan na ‘yan,” explained Go.

“Kapag napatunayang pumasok ka sa corruption o katiwalian kahit saang opisina ka pa, pasensyahan tayo, hindi namin palalampasin ni Pangulong Duterte ito.

“Mananagot ka sa kasalanan mo sa gobyerno at sa mga Pilipino,” he added.

Go also appealed to fellow lawmakers and the public that while they rigorously seek the truth, objectivity must be maintained in order not to pass judgment too early without knowing all the facts.

“Ako po ay nakikiusap —- hindi man mamatay sa COVID-19, baka naman mamatay sa pressure. ‘Wag natin pahirapan ang mga taong nagtatrabaho ng maayos.

“Trabaho naman ng COA na busisiin at bigyan ang ahensya ng pagkakataon na sagutin kapag ‘di nila nasagot, kasuhan na agad.

“Kahit si USec. Lao na ‘yan, kapag napatunayang sangkot ay kasuhan na agad para tumigil na haka-haka,” he said.

Go also clarified that Lao was never his aide, despite claims made by various people and news organizations.