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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Palace to let Ombudsman proceed with probe on irregularities in the DOH

Palace to let Ombudsman proceed with probe on irregularities in the DOH

Published Jun 17, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  Malacañang said it will let the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) do its job as it ordered a probe on the alleged irregularities made by the Department of Health (DOH) in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that the Palace respects the decision of the OMB to probe Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health officials over the supposed irregularities and anomalies. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "The Ombudsman, as we all know, is an independent constitutional body; thus, we will let the process run its course," Roque wrote in his statement Wednesday. "We enjoin Secretary Duque and the entire DOH bureaucracy to cooperate with the investigation and respect the orders of the OMB," he added. In a statement, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said the investigation involves the purchase of 100,000 test kits by the DOH, and news reports regarding the use of test kits invented by the University of the Philippines. The Ombudsman also cited the following as points of interest:
  • The delayed procurement of physical protective equipment (PPE), and other medical gear necessary for the protection of healthcare workers;
  • Alleged lapses and irregularities that led to the death of medical workers;
  • The delay of the release of benefits and financial assistance for health workers who died and got severely sick with COVID-19;
  • The confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19 figures.
According to the Ombudsman, the investigating teams were authorized to file necessary cases against any DOH personnel who do not comply with the investigation or obstructs or misleads the probe. President Duterte has repeatedly defended Duque from criticisms and asked the latter to ignore critics and just do his job.#
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