Farmers to Duterte: Fire Duque or face the people’s wrath

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said President Duterte’s endless defense and coddling of beleaguered health secretary Francisco Duque III is sickening and smacks of irresponsibility. Parehong dapat nang sibakin sina Duterte at Duque. Pareho silang pahirap sa mamamayan

Both Duterte and Duque can be blamed for the country’s helpless COVID-19 situation. Our health workers are already weary and suffering from low morale, the least Duterte could do is to admonish Duque. However, Duterte got Duque’s back again.

KMP said despite Malacanang’s continued trust and support for Duque, the public cannot turn a blind eye to the DOH’s squandering of public funds. Under Duque’s watch, some P2.709-billion were put to waste because DOH procured expired and nearly expired drugs and medicines, and overstocking medical supplies. For 2020 alone, a whopping P95-million worth of medicines and drugs purchased by DOH were expired and wasted.

“Habang namamatay na hindi man lang nakakakita ng doktor at nakakapagpagamot ang mga magbubukid, milyun-milyong pisong halaga ng gamot ng DOH ang nag-expire at nasayang lang,” says Danilo Ramos, chairperson of KMP. Among the important and much-needed medicines that expired include drugs for neuro and mental health, diabetes and cancer drugs, vaccines, and supplements.  

Duque is a repeat offender. There’s no way that billions of DOH funds were misused and squandered without his knowledge. Based on the Commission on Audit’s report, from 2018 to 2020, the DOH procured expired and nearly expired drugs and medicines, and overstocked slow-moving drugs and supplies.

Based on COA Reports 2018-2020, the DOH procured billions worth of expired and nearly expired drugs and medicines.

2020 P6.6M expired drugs and medicines
P20M nearly expired drugs and medicines
P69M overstocked/slow-moving/idle drugs and medicines

2019 P29.9M expired drugs and medicines
P1.02B nearly expired drugs and medicines
P1.14B overstocked drugs and medical supplies

2018  P30.3M expired drugs and medicines
P367.1M nearly expired drugs
P18.5M overstocked drugs and medicines

Total – Php2.709-Billion

“Siguradong may kumikita sa pagbili ng gamot ng DOH. Una na dito si Secretary Duque,” Ramos said.

We remind Duterte to immediately fire Duque or face the wrath of the Filipino people. ###