Ona still Health secretary, for now — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Despite reports that some of Secretary Enrique Ona’s belongings were being transferred from his office to his home, Malacañang on Tuesday clarified that he is still the head of the Department of Health.

“Sa ating pagkaalam ay patuloy pa rin naman ‘yung pag-aaral hinggil sa mga tinukoy na usapin at nananatili pa rin siyang Secretary of Health dahil wala namang pahayag o desisyon taliwas diyan,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said during a Palace briefing.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

(Based on what I know, the issues he is facing are still being studied and he remains Secretary of Health because there is no announcement of a decision announcing otherwise.)

Ona is still on an extended leave after he was asked to explain to President Benigno Aquino III his decision to purchase P800 million worth of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 10 (PCV 10). While PCV 10 is cheaper, the PCV 13 is the recommended vaccine of the World Health Organization.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said that the National Bureau of Investigation is already looking into the matter.

A report by GMA News said some of Ona’s personal belongings were seen in boxes at the DOH and were supposed to be delivered to his house.

Coloma said he has yet to receive confirmation of such reports.

Ona reportedly submitted his report to Aquino last month. He denied accusations of corruption in the purchase of the vaccines.

Aquino, during his trip to South Korea, said that the Health Secretary is also being made to answer “three to four” more issues.

Aquino ally and former congresswoman Janette Garin currently serves as the acting Health Secretary.

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