Ona’s return to DOH up to Aquino
Health Secretary Enrique Ona. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines—The monthlong leave of Health Secretary Enrique Ona will end on Friday, but whether he will resume heading the department is up to President Benigno Aquino III.
“Mainam po na hintayin natin ang pagpapasya ng Pangulo hinggil diyan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a televised press conference Thursday.
(It is better to wait for the decision of the President.)
Coloma said he did not have knowledge of a supposed meeting between Ona and Aquino Thursday morning.
Initial statements from Malacañang said Ona filed for a medical leave because of an allergic reaction to hair dye. But it was later revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation was investigating Ona and another health official for the purchase of expensive vaccines in 2012.
Aquino confirmed that Ona asked to take a leave to answer questions regarding the immunization program of the government.
Coloma said the government was studying the issues in the implementation of the public health policy.
“The immunization programs of DOH, this is the subject of the inquiry and the study that is now ongoing,” Coloma said.
He assured the public that the priority programs of the agency will not be affected by the inquiry.
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