House probe on DOH’s ‘criminal negligence’ in handling COVID-19 funds sought
MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is seeking an investigation into the “grave inefficiency, gross incompetence, and criminal negligence” of the Department of Health (DOH) in managing its funds for COVID-19 response.
The lawmakers called for the investigation after the Commission on Audit (COA) found “deficiencies” on how the DOH managed its P67.32-billion fund to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has asked for COA to brief lawmakers in the lower chamber on the matter within the week.
“Amid this COVID-19 pandemic, the government, especially the DOH, are expected to efficiently allocate and use the limited resources in the pursuit of ending the health crisis,” the lawmakers said in House Resolution No. 2129 filed Monday.
“The inefficiency, delay and the incompetence in the delivery of the much-needed services to the public already amount to criminal negligence as thousands of Filipinos already died and are dying of getting infected of the viral disease,” they added.
In calling for the investigation, the Makabayan bloc said that it is the duty of the House to “uphold the interests and protect the lives of the Filipino people, not just from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from corrupt practices that deny the public from accessing the much-needed quality public resources.”
The Makabayan bloc is composed of Bayan Muna Partylist Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, and Ferdinand Gaite; Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas; and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.
After its report on the deficiencies in the handling of DOH funds made headlines, the COA clarified that its report is not conclusive of corruption within DOH.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH is addressing the deficiencies that the COA raised regarding the department’s management of the P67.32-billion fund to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
