CA defers Ubial confirmation anew

Commission on Appointments’ deliberation on Ms. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Health held at the PNB bldg., Pasay City. Ubial’s confirmation was deferred. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

The Commission on Appointments (CA) health committee deferred anew on Tuesday the appointment of Health Secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial.

Before this, the CA also deferred Ubial’s confirmation last May 17 after three oppositions filed against her.

Senator Gregorio Honasan II has moved for the suspension of hearing due to lack of time to tackle additional questions from Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III and other members of the panel.

Among those who filed oppositions against her were Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque, ACTS OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III, and lawyer Restituto Mendoza.

Bertiz later withdrew his opposition, but another opposition was filed by Potenciano Malvar.

During the previous hearing, only Roque’s opposition was tackled. He accused the health secretary of “lying to Congress, incompetence and corruption” due to the several times she “flip-flopped” her statements.

Roque also alleged Ubial, who was a former assistant health secretary prior to her current post, of “backtracking” her statements that the country was Zika-free, after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed cases of the disease.

The lawmaker also pointed out that Ubial delayed the implementation and procurement of the dengue vaccine in favor of a pneumonia vaccine because she would earn from it.

Ubial has denied all the accusations thrown at her. /idl