DOH: No need for Duque to take leave during Ombudsman probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) sees no need for its chief, Secretary Francisco Duque III, to take a leave of absence to give way for the investigation of the Ombudsman over the alleged irregularities in the agency’s COVID-19 response.

Although the agency has yet to receive formal communication about the probe, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH is already preparing for it.

“First, wala pa kaming narereceive na any formal communication from the Ombudsman regarding this investigation. Second, we are now preparing para sa imbestigasyona at bukas din ang tanggapan namin kung saka-sakaling,” Vergeire said in an online media forum Friday.

(First, we have not received any formal communication from the Ombudsman regarding this investigation. Second, we are now preparing for the investigation and our office is also open in case.)

“Wala pa kaming nakikitang pangangailangan para siya ay magbitaw o di kaya ay magtemporarily na tumigil muna sa trabahao para bigyang daan ang imbestigasyon.”

(We do not see any need for him to resign or even take some time off to give way for the investigation.)

Senator Win Gatchalian earlier said it would be “best” for Duque to take a leave of absence while the Ombudsman probes the DOH response on the coronavirus crisis to have an “objective investigation.”

On Wednesday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires announced that his office has launched an investigation on the DOH involving the purchase of 100,000 test kits, the use of test kits invented by the University of the Philippines, and other irregularities allegedly committed amid the pandemic by DOH officials including Duque.

But Malacañang said President Duterte still has faith and confidence in Duque, and that he is confident that his health chief will be able to answer all the allegations hurled against him.

Vergeire also claimed that Duque has the “full support” of the DOH.

“Napakaimportante po ng isang leader sa isang organisasyon kahit po nakaupo lang siya diyan pero kung siya ay nirerespeto at nakakapagbigay ng kumpiyansa para sa tauhan niya, sa tingin ko po, kaya gumagaling ang mga tao sa ilalim niya,” the DOH official said.

(A leader is very important in an organization. Even if he would just sit there, but if he has the respect of his subordinates, the people under him would certainly do well.)

“We have our full support to the secretary and we think that he should be retained in his post,” she added.

/MUF