‘Government must uphold rule of law in addressing pandemic’Speaking before the online “2021 Open Parliament Forum” last week, Sen. Richard Gordon said it is the duty of Congress, notably the Senate, to exercise its oversight function to ensure that public funds are judiciously spent and well accounted for. MANILA, Philippines — Government should uphold the rule of law in addressing the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, especially in protecting the people against abuses, Sen. Richard Gordon said. He was referring to the ongoing investigation of the Blue Ribbon committee, which he chairs, into the P42-billion corruption scandal involving the Duterte administration’s procurement of pandemic supplies. Gordon said Congress should assert the principles of separation of powers and its power of checks and balances, especially against populist leaders. In the performance of its oversight function, Gordon said the Senate has encountered numerous problems in its current inquiry on government’s anomalous procurement deals of pandemic response medical supplies and equipment.

Source: Philippine Star December 13, 2021 00:36 UTC