Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) — The Department of Health on Friday turned down a senator’s call for its chief to take some time off work while the Office of the Ombudsman launches an investigation into the alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 response.
“Hindi pa natin nakikita ang pangangailangan para mag-leave si Secretary Duque para dito sa sinasabing imbestigasyon na isasagawa ng Ombudsman,” Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters in a media forum.
[Translation: We don’t see the need for Secretary (Francisco) Duque to take a leave of absence for the Ombudsman’s investigation.]
Vergeire said the health secretary has their ’full support,’ crediting Duque’s leadership as the reason why undersecretaries were able to accomplish their duties.
On Thursday, Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said the ‘appropriate thing’ for Duque to do is to take a leave of absence to ensure an impartial probe.
Gatchalian was also among the lawmakers who signed a Senate resolution calling for Duque’s resignation in April.
On Wednesday, the Ombudsman revealed an ongoing probe into supposed “irregularities and anomalies” in the DOH’s pandemic response measures, including supposed confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19 data and cases, and purported lapses that led to the death of medical workers and the increasing number of infections among frontliners.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires told CNN Philippines’ The Source that his office is sending subpoenas to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado and Duque within the day.
Vergeire, for her part, said the DOH is preparing for the investigation as she reiterated the department’s commitment to comply with Ombudsman’s directives.
