Atty. Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — The administration should spend its time investigating the supposed deficiencies in the management of the P67-billion funds of the Department of Health (DOH) instead of diverting the attention of the public by spreading lies about Vice President Leni Robredo.
Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez made the remark Friday, saying that allies of the administration and troll farms are quick to spread lies about the Vice President whenever government issues surface.
“So ganito ang playbook ng ilang opisyal at kaalyado ng administrasyon at ng mga troll farms: Kapag may lumabas na issue— halimbawa, itong nasilip ng COA na P67B na “deficiencies” ng DOH— overtime agad sila sa paglalabas ng kasinungalingan at paninira, para mabaling ang atensyon natin sa ibang bagay,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
(This is the playbook of some officials and allies of the administration and troll farms: Whenever an issue surfaces—for instance, the P67 billion deficiencies of DOH—they quickly release lies so that the attention of the public can be diverted.)
“This time, si VP Leni ang nire-red-tag. Bakit? Dahil sabi ni VP, timeout muna sa pulitika, all hands on deck muna laban sa COVID 19,” he added.
(This time, VP Leni is red-tagged. Why? Because the VP said let’s have a timeout on politics, let’s have all hands on deck against COVID-19.)
Gutierrez said the administration should instead use its time to look into the Commission on Audit’s findings on the DOH’s deficiencies in managing the pandemic P67-billion funds.
“Sayang ang oras at energy. Sana tinuon na lang sa pagtulong at pag-imbestiga dun sa sinasabing deficiencies,” Gutierrez said.
(Such a waste of time and energy. I wish they used this time to help and investigate the deficiencies.)
“Ang kailangan, ayuda at katotohanan; pananagutan, hindi paninira at kasinungalingan,” he added.
(What we need are assistance and the truth, accountability and not lies.)
COA’s annual audit report for DOH in 2020 revealed that the deficiencies are caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, which led to missed opportunities for the department primarily tasked with managing the pandemic.
These issues, COA said, cast doubt on the regularity of transactions, while keeping much-needed funds at bay and unspent.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, assured that all transactions of the DOH are accounted for and documented, otherwise officials and employees would go to jail.