Duterte denies defending DOH: I’m just sharing my opinion
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has denied defending the Department of Health (DOH) after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the department’s handling and spending of funds for the COVID-19 response.
Earlier, Duterte seemingly cleared the DOH of irregularity after saying it is “impossible” for the agency to steal P67.3 billion.
“I am not defending DOH. Trabaho nila yan (It is their job) and we are governed by the rules. I’m not defending because they are not being accused of anything. I’m just sharing my opinion,” Duterte said in a taped speech aired Saturday.
“Kasi ‘Duterte is defending DOH from anomalies’ P***** i** anong anomalies dyan? Sabi ko nga e, hindi sila ang nagbabayad, ang DBM [Department of Budget and Management] man,” he added.
Duterte said he feels for his fellow government officials who are being figured in COA’s reports flagging their agencies’ transactions.
“Yan ang problema. Yan ang masakit sa kapwa ko taga-gobyerno. All government officials. Ang Congress hindi masyado, hindi pakialam ang Congress. I am sure takot kayo sa Congress kasi pagdating ng budget bigyan ka lang ng piso, tapos ka na. Pero dito kayo, bugbugin talaga ninyo,” said Duterte.
“Alam ko walang malisya, you are just doing your duty but in making the report, kindly reconfigure everything and sabihin sa una, at the first instance, pag mainterview ka, sabihin mo agad there is no corruption here, there is no money involved,” he added, addressing COA.
The COA earlier flagged the DOH for deficiencies in its use of funds, specifically its noncompliance with pertinent laws and regulations, resulting in missed opportunities in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DOH, in response, assured it was addressing the deficiencies marked by COA.
