The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the investigation on the DOH, including Secretary Francisco Duque III, due to alleged irregularities in the measures taken by the agency amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires disclosed he has directed “the creation of two more investigating teams” that will jointly probe on the matter.
According to Martires, the issues to be looked into include:
– The delayed procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPES), and other medical gears necessary for the protection of healthcare workers;
– Alleged lapses and irregularities that led to the death of medical workers and the rising number of deaths and infected medical frontliners;
– Inaction in the release and processing of benefits and financial assistance of “fallen” and infected medical frontliners; and
– The confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19- related deaths and confirmed cases.
Martires revealed how the Office of the Ombudsman through its Field Investigation Office has begun scrutinizing matters before the lockdown but their investigators “were given a runaround by some DOH officials and personnel by referring us from one department or office to another.”
Malacaῆang said it respects the move of the Ombudsman to investigate Duque and other health officials. “The Ombudsman, as we all know, is an independent constitutional body. Thus, we will let the process run its course as we enjoin Secretary Duque and the entire DOH bureaucracy to cooperate with the investigation and respect the orders of the OMB.”
Meanwhile, senators expressed support on the decision.
“(It’s) about time. I can only hope that this time around, the investigation will bear fruit and find those concerned liable and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds in taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis for self-aggrandizement,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson affirmed.
“The lapses they committed have exposed to risk the welfare of the entire nation. Secretary Duque, in particular, has failed in his job. The people have every right to demand accountability,” Sen. Franklin Drilon raised.
DOH USec. Vergeire said during their virtual presser on Wednesday that the department is open to any investigation on how they handle the situation and will follow the directive of the OMB.
