By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will base any action on evidence, as it allowed the proper investigation to proceed into a complaint filed against Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. over alleged gambling activities.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President believes allegations against government officials should be thoroughly investigated before any decision is made.
Usec. Castro said in a Palace briefing, “Kung may ganito pong mga isyu ay dapat lang po talagang lumabas, kailangan pong maimbestigahan at kung anuman po ang kalalabasan nito ay hahayaan po natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon patungkol diyan.”
Asked whether Malacañang was considering placing Pujalte under preventive suspension while the investigation is ongoing, Castro said the President has yet to issue any such directive.
She added, “Sa ngayon, hindi pa po naipapaabot ng Pangulo kung mag-iisyu ng ganyan kay Secretary Pujalte, pero tingnan po natin sa mga susunod na mga oras o araw at ibibigay ko po sa inyo ang pinaka-update.”
The Palace official likewise said President Marcos Jr. continues to repose confidence in the Health chief in the absence of substantiated allegations.
“Sa ngayon po na wala pa pong nailalabas na anumang concrete evidence, maliban lamang po talaga kung ito talaga ay makatotohanan na, doon lamang po kikilos ang ating Pangulo.”
Unfounded allegations
A group of concerned citizens recently filed a complaint accusing Pujalte of violating Presidential Decree 1869, which prohibits government officials from gambling in casinos, and Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The Department of Health (DOH) has strongly denied the allegations, saying Pujalte’s presence at a hotel on July 20, a week after his appointment, was for an official meeting with local officials from Masbate and Sorsogon to discuss assistance for public hospitals.
The DOH maintained that the Health chief was attending official government business and remains focused on delivering quality healthcare services.
The Chief Executive appointed Pujalte as Health secretary on July 13 following the resignation of Dr. Teodoro Herbosa due to health concerns. (PNA)
