Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (INQUIRER.net file photos)
MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said a lot of things about the Commission on Audit (COA) for flagging “deficiencies” in the management of the Department of Health (DOH) of P67.32 billion worth of funds for its COVID-19 response, but he said nothing to explain the issues, Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a tweet on Tuesday.
“Of all the many things you said, not one answered even a single statement of COA… Explaining to the public both our actions/inactions are part of our job as public servants,” Escudero, a former senator, said on Twitter, in a tweet written partly in Filipino.
“No need to cry or pander… #YungWalangTinatagoWalangKinakatakutan #WalangKinakatakutanAngWalangTinatago,” he added.
https://twitter.com/SayChiz/status/1427623282723803141?s=20
Duque earlier faced the House of Representatives as the COA briefed the Committee on Public Accounts about its report that found “deficiencies” in the DOH management of the P67.32 billion COVID-19 response fund in 2020.
READ: Duque admits ‘losing sleep’, ‘bloodied and bludgeoned’ over COA report on pandemic fund
Duque then got emotional as he ranted against the state auditors, even going as far as daring them to do the work of the DOH during the pandemic.
Escudero, in a longer statement on Facebook, reminded Duque that everyone in the government had received an audit observation memorandum from COA.
“The difference is that we answer/explain simply because we have nothing to hide! We don’t attack COA and we don’t complain that it ‘lowered our morale,’” Escudero said.
“Be afraid when it’s the people telling you that — that we are tired and fed up with you,” he added in Fiilipino.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tony Leachon, a health reform advocate, had this reaction to Duque, who complained that he had been losing sleep because of the COA report: “It’s sad that he is not humble enough to accept his mistakes like a true leader in the midst of crisis. Please stop complaining about losing sleep, because we have lost our loved ones and our livelihood during your watch.”
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” Leachon added.
It’s sad that he is not humble enough to accept his mistakes like a true leader in the midst of crisis. Please stop complaining about losing sleep , because we have lost our loved ones and our livelihood during your watch.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. https://t.co/A1cb9x8XLt— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) August 17, 2021
Former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, who is a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, wondered how Duque seemed to have forgotten how constitutional commissions work, considering that he served as the Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman from 2010 to 2015.
“He’s a former CSC Chair and so he should know how constitutional commissions work and should stop complaining,” said the Law professor.
“If he doesn’t, well, then add that to the list of things he should, but doesn’t, know,” he added.
He's a former CSC Chair and so he should know how constitutional commissions work and should stop complaining. If he doesn't, well, then add that to the list of things he should, but doesn't, know.
— Ted Te (@TedTe) August 17, 2021
For its part, COA said it remained committed to conducting and publishing audits of government agencies despite criticism from Duque and even President Rodrigo Duterte himself.