By Genalyn Kabiling President Duterte is standing firmly behind his men after the Office of the Ombudsman launched an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Department of Health’s (DOH) coronavirus response. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on June 22, 2020. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO In his public address Monday night, the President said he is prepared to appear before the Ombudsman and vouch for the integrity of his officials. Duterte also said he is ready to put his reputation on the line as he assured that there was nothing anomalous in the government's efforts to address the pandemic. Ombudsman Samuel Martires earlier ordered an investigation into Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other officials over alleged anomalies in the response to the pandemic, including procurement of personal protective equipment and provision of benefits for health workers. Concerned health and budget departments have reportedly been asked to submit documents related to the fund disbursement for the coronavirus response. "With due respect to the Ombudsman, the honorable Martires, iniimbestiga pa niya. Pero kung ako ang lang tanungin, kung ako ang imbestigahan niya, e di magpunta talaga ako at sabihin ko na I believe in the integrity and honesty of my people (With due respect to the Ombudsman, the honorable Martires, he is investigating it. But If I were to be asked, if he were to investigate me, I will go there and tell him that I believe in the honesty and integrity of my people)," the President said. "Malinis itong mga tao ko dito. I still believe in them (My people are clean and I still believe in them)," he added. In defending the integrity of his officials, Duterte recognized that public service requires sacrifice on the part of these government workers. "Yun ang sitwasyon. Gusto ko lang malaman ng tao na itong sa gobyerno ito sakripisyo ito. I'm just appealing to their sense of patriotism and love for their country. Tulungan ninyo ako dito (That’s the situation. I want people to know that these people in government are sacrificing a lot. I'm just appealing to their sense of patriotism and love for their country to help me)," he said. The President also attested that that there was no irregularity in the procurement of medical supplies during the early days of the outbreak. He said it took some time to make the procurement since they were looking for abundant supply at affordable cost. "Itaya ko ang reputasyon ko as president. Walang kalokohan dito (I put my reputation as president at stake. There is no anomaly here),” he said. The health department earlier said it will cooperate with the Ombudsman in the probe on its efforts to address the pandemic.