SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd and Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they suspected that some influential businessmen have lobbied with the government not to lift the wearing of face shield policy despite lack of evidence that it amplifies protection against Covid-19.

A Department of Health (DoH) briefer sent to the Senate stated that “no country” in the world has mandated the use of face shield over facemask.

“It’s confirmed, even the brief sent by DoH proves no country in the world mandates the use of face shields on top of the face mask,” Sotto said in a text message on Wednesday.

Sotto was pertaining to a June 16, 2020 Wall Street Journal article quoted by the DoH, saying that China and South Korea have shifted from face mask to face shield; Malta had mandated the use of face masks or face shields; the State of Oregon in the United States had directed the use of face masks, covering or face shields; and the United Kingdom had issued an official advice that face shields “be worn by staff who work in close contact with the public, such as hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattoo artists and studio photographers.”

“It’s ‘either or’ in most countries. Other countries, mask only. So, where and who was the expert who said [that face shield and face mask must be worn] together?” Sotto asked.

“Who is the genius who tricked the government?”

Sotto suspects some businessmen could have lobbied for the continuous implementation of the face shield policy because they are profiting from it.

“People cannot help but suspect something is wrong somewhere,” he added.

Lacson shared Sotto’s view. “That is in the realm of possibilities considering all the inconsistencies and conflicting statements of those in charge of the handling of the country’s pandemic response,” Lacson said.

“The track record and pattern of misuse and mishandling of public funds and other similar issues involving PhilHeath (Philippine

Health Insurance Corp.), DoH, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) etc. do not help assuage the negative public attitude in this regard,” he said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the pattern was evident from 2020.

“I wouldn’t be surprised as was established with the overpriced testing kits, PPEs (personal protective equipment suits) and testing equipment involving the DoH exposed in Senate hearings last year,” Pangilinan said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, during a Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on June 15, cited a Lancet May 2020 report suggesting that “eye protection could confer additional benefit” against Covid-19.

Duque added that Dr. Tony Dans and two other local physicians conducted a study on the efficacy of face shield against infections.

Sotto said the Lancet report provided inconclusive evidence and told Duque to submit a list of countries that mandated the use of face shield to justify the government’s policy on its use.