Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 24) — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Wednesday that it would forward the documents sought by the Office of the Ombudsman for its ongoing investigation on the alleged irregularities in the country’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Kami dito sa DBM ay nakahanda,” Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said in a briefing. “Bukas nga, sa pagkakaalam ko, isusumite na namin ang mga dokumentong hinihingi sa amin ng Office of the Ombudsman.”
[Translation: Here in DBM, we are ready. Tomorrow, as far as I know, we will submit the documents requested from us by the Office of the Ombudsman.]
The anti-graft body issued subpoenas to the Department of Health and the DBM to trace the funds used in COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires earlier told CNN Philippines’ The Source that his office is focused on the special allotment release orders for cash benefits extended to the families of frontliners who got infected with the virus and died in the line of duty.
Avisado said that as of June 22, ₱355.6 billion has been released to fund COVID-19 response programs. Of the amount, ₱45.7 billion went to the Department of Health.
