Those behind the alleged overpricing in the P2.32 million purchase of video equipment for the Senate’s press office must suffer the consequences, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Tuesday.

This came after Enrile authorized the Senate accounts committee chaired by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson to investigate the alleged overpricing as initial price comparisons showed the Senate might have paid more than double for the equipment, which included cameras and accessories.

Before the start of the hearing at the Senate session hall of the controversial double-funded, C-5 road realignment case by the Senate as a committee of the whole, Enrile approached Lacson to give him the authority to undertake the probe.

“Yung tungkol sa overprice, sinabi ko na kanina kay Senador Lacson proceed to investigate the case. Anybody found to have defrauded the Senate no matter how small, we have to make example. He has to be separated from the service,’’ Enrile said.

Enrile said it is sad to hear of overpricing allegations after the Senate leadership has provided appropriate benefits to the chamber’s officials and personnel.

A peso or P100 pocketed as a result of the overpricing of supplies is an insult to the leadership of the Senate, Enrile pointed out.

‘’The committee on accounts here will not tolerate any misuse of funds budgeted for the Senate and anybody. That’s why we are giving enough compensation for our employees because we expect a higher degree of rectitude for them,’’ he said.

“If they abuse that, sorry this is not the place for you… you have to get out and if you don’t get out, we will have to kick you out in accordance with the law. But there must be due process, a fair hearing and sufficient evidence,’’ he added.