It's now the senators against some members of the House of Representatives on the issue of the Senate's ongoing probe on the government's purchase of pandemic-related supplies.
President Duterte found backing from the Congress' lower chamber in hitting the Senate for investigating the Department of Health's (DOH) procurement of allegedly "overpriced" medical supplies as part of COVID-19 response thru the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (DBM-PS).
DIWA Party List Representative Michael Edward Aglipay, in launching the House Blue Ribbon Committee's own inquiry on the issue Wednesday, September 15, said he takes offense with the Senate dragging Duterte, and even former presidential adviser Michael Yang, in the supposed anomalies in the procurements.
He claimed that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's inquiry, in bringing up Yang's alleged link to illegal drugs, sought to "destroy" the President.
In an interview on Thursday, September 16, Aglipay also accused the senators of grandstanding in their hearings to advance their plans for the 2022 elections.
But senators were not bothered by the partylist solon's remarks.
Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon panel, said on Thursday, September 16, that the congressman's statements, like Duterte's criticisms, were "designed to lose our focus".
Still, Gordon said they will remain focused on their legislative probe.
"We are totally focused. evidence is very overwhelming and strong," he said in a text message sent to to reporters.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III also denied Aglipay's accusation.
"Investigating and knowing the truth never brought any harm to a nation," Sotto tweeted.
Investigating and knowing the truth never brought any harm to a nation. Senators are not prosecutors. We simply ask questions and recommend. The executive and the Ombudsman prosecute, not us.
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) September 16, 2021
"Senators are not prosecutors. We simply ask questions and recommend. The executive and the Ombudsman prosecute, not us," he also pointed out.
Like Gordon, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon maintained: "We will not be distracted."
Duterte has favored the hearing conducted in the House of Representatives, which is dominated by his allies.