Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Friday, Aug. 27, suggested the audit of the government’s billions of pesos expenditure for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination program.

The veteran independent lawmaker made the call as government continued to reject inquiries into the exact purchase prices for the vaccines it has procured.

Facing lawmakers during the budget hearing on Monday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said he was not in a position to reveal the prices for vaccines because government is bound by a “non-disclosure agreement” in its vaccine supply contracts.

Lagman appeared unconvinced with Dominguez’s explanation.

“Why cannot the Duterte administration disclose the prices involved when private sector entities openly reveal the amounts they have paid for their separate vaccine purchases?” he asked.

Lagman said COA should step into the issue to determine whether or not the transactions are indeed aboveboard.

“More than deficiencies and neglect, the COA may find corrupt transactions of overpricing and huge commissions shrouded in cavalier claims of secret price tags,” he stated.

“The expenditures in the purchase of vaccines cannot be validated and additional funds cannot be appropriated without the most critical data on the specific prices negotiated by the government,” the independent lawmaker stated.

He added: “Secret pricing of vaccines defies the oversight function of the Congress and mocks the congressional power of appropriation.”

“Accountability and transparency in government transactions, like the purchase of vaccines amounting to billions of pesos, demand a full disclosure of the detailed prices paid by the government,” said the Albay solon.