The Sandiganbayan First Division has started proceedings in the graft case against former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao over the alleged unlawful transfer of P41.46 billion for the procurement of supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funds were reportedly transferred to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2020 for the purchase of items such as personal protective equipment kits and test kits.