Labella not told about donated “tuob” kits

CEBU, Philippines —  After getting flak from the netizens due to the controversial “tuob” kits, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella explained that he did not know these were donated when it was first brought to his attention.

Labella said he came to know about it when a newspaper columnist wrote about the alleged procurement of “tuob” kits by the city government amounting to P2.5 million.

The mayor made the clarification after his spokesperson, Atty. Rey Gealon, announced on Monday that the 1,000 sets of “tuob” kits were not bought but donated by a supplier, whose identity the city refused to reveal.

The public, especially the netizens, take Gealon’s announcement with a grain of salt since it happened a day after Labella ordered an investigation.

"I don't know the time that it was donated or not. But, it came to my attention when Frank Malilong made that statement in his column. Whatever it is, they say that there were documents prepared, but I will always have the final say. And, I will never, never make any payment of the P2.5 million," Labella stressed.

"Actually, at the very outset I didn't know, but I was expecting that we will have so many donations for that purpose. I could not expect that the city would purchase worth P2.5 million," Labella added.

For those who doubt the real status of the transaction, Labella reiterated his assurance that he will not allow payment of the kits.

"Anyway all of these would come to my table and if it would reach my table I would disapprove," said Labella.

The city government was earlier reported to have acquired 1,000 “tuob” kits at P2,500 each. The kits were distributed to some barangay isolation centers where asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are quarantined.

Each kit came with one electric water heater/steamer, a steam gown, an industrial plastic chair, an adult bath towel, two hand towels, and a water basin.  FPL (FREEMAN)