Senate President Vicente Sotto III is looking at proposing a measure that would amend existing laws to make sure that "incompetent" state officials and employees would be held accountable, especially for the mismanagement of public funds and government programs.

“We can’t just sit back and watch the meltdown in government services. We need to hold liable those who have been failing in their jobs. Filipinos deserve to have better leaders," Sotto said in a statement on Tuesday, August 31.

“Incompetents cannot recognize incompetence. They have a false sense of confidence that they are indispensable to the government,” he added.

The Senate chief said he would consult with experts and review existing laws so they can be given more teeth in running after officials and employees, "especially those who have done sloppy jobs in doing due diligence and vetting projects."

Sotto's statement comes amid the Upper Chamber's ongoing investigation on the Department of Health's (DOH) deficiencies in its disbursement of COVID-19 funds, including the transfer of P42 billion to the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (DBM-PS), as cited by state auditors.

In their Senate hearings, senators noted the absence of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DOH and the DBM-PS for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment despite the requirement of the country's procurement law.

They also raised red flags over the DBM-PS's award of contracts worth over P8 billion to a local supplier that lacked the track record and had a low paid-up capital. They also cited the overpricing of the purchases.

Resigned DBM-PS head Lloyd Christopher Lao admitted to senators that he failed to exercise due diligence and may have been negligent in the procurement of COVID-19 response supplies.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he found it prudent to proceed with the transfer of funds without the MOA, citing a government resolution that allows such for purchases of so-called "common-use supplied and equipment".

With this, Sotto said Congress "cannot afford" to allow the executive department to commit such mistakes or misjudgment in identifying projects because “it is not easy for lawmakers to allocate funds for an agency."

"We diligently study all proposals submitted to us. We cannot waste our time on lopsided work," he said.

He said concerned officials should be held liable as Filipinos have been shortchanged by the mismanagement of government resources.

"We cannot let them go scot-free, they need to be held accountable for disservice to the Filipino people," the Senate leader said.

Earlier, Sotto told government agencies not to ask Congress for funds that would end up not being spent.