Philippines' Duterte says medical supplies not overpriced

FILE PHOTO: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the arrival ceremony for the first COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in the country, at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 28, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday denied allegations that medical supplies like personal protective equipment and face masks were overpriced, lashing out at lawmakers probing government officials over emergency purchases last year.

The firebrand leader remains popular in the Philippines, but his administration is facing growing criticism over its handling of one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia.

"At the height of the pandemic, when it began, we had nothing," Duterte said in a weekly late-night national address. "It was costly because of lack of supply."

Opposition lawmakers questioned the government's emergency deals to buy medical supplies from a lowly-capitalised company with links to government officials.

In budget hearings, health ministry officials were grilled on unspent pandemic funds. State auditors have flagged "deficiencies" https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippine-health-ministry-says-no-corruption-13-bln-pandemic-funds-2021-08-14 in more than $1 billion in COVID-19 funds.

"Senate, do not investigate programmes which are ongoing. You will derail it by your incessant penchant for investigating government offices," Duterte said.

With 2 million confirmed infections and 33,680 deaths, the Philippines has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.

Surging cases driven by the Delta variant are overwhelming hospitals, while healthcare workers have protested https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-health-workers-protest-neglect-covid-19-strains-hospitals-2021-09-01 to end to what they called government neglect and unpaid benefits.

Duterte, who is banned by the constitution from seeking re-election, plans to run as vice president next year. Critics see it as an effort to extend his power.