Several lawmakers filed a resolution seeking a House inquiry into the qualifications of the OCTA Research group as well as their methodologies. 

The independent research team regularly issues projections about the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the Philippines and offers policy recommendations. It is composed of professors from the University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas, and Providence College in the United States. 

The lawmakers wanted the House committee on good governance to look into the “qualifications, research methodologies, partnerships, and composition of OCTA Research Philippines.”

“There is a public health and public policy need to ensure the safety and security of the population during this pandemic, and that information being distributed is correct and [is] not irresponsibly and erroneously published,” House Resolution 2075 read. 

The lawmakers quoted infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana as saying that OCTA researchers’ projections are “problematic and based on incomplete and erroneous data.”

Last week, the OCTA Research declared there was a surge of infections and urged for tighter movement restrictions in Metro Manila. The Department of Health, however, said there was still “no definitive evidence” of a surge. 

The lawmakers also wanted validate the connection between OCTA Research and the University of the Philippines system. 

The resolution was filed by Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera (Bagong Henerasyon Partylist), Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan (Ilocos Sur), Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA Partylist), Deputy Minority Leader Stella Luz Quimbo (Marikina), and Rep. Jesus Suntay (Quezon City).