Lacson hopes Ombudsman probe on DOH’s COVID-19 response ‘will bear fruit’ this time

MANILA, Philippines — About time.

This was the reaction of Senator Panfilo Lacson as he welcomed the Ombudsman’s order for an investigation on the alleged irregularities in the Department of Health’s (DOH) response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“About time. I can only hope that this time around, the investigation will bear fruit and find those concerned liable and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds in taking advantage of the [COVID-19] crisis for self-aggrandizement,” the senator told INQUIRER.net in a message when sought for a comment.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Wednesday said he directed the creation of two investigating teams “who will jointly investigate alleged irregularities and anomalies committed by DOH officials and employees, including Health Sec. Francisco Duque, in relation to the response of the DOH during this pandemic.”

The investigation will focus on the alleged inaction in the release and processing of benefits and financial assistance for medical frontliners who either contracted COVID-19 or died of the disease, as well as the confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19 related deaths and confirmed cases, according to the Ombudsman.

Lacson said he hopes the Ombudsman’s motu proprio investigation would not end up like the case he filed in 2017 against former Bureau of Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon and several others for their alleged involvement in rice smuggling.

“My wish is that the outcome would be unlike the agricultural smuggling case I personally filed against Faeldon et al., which continues to languish in the dustbin of the Ombudsman for an unusually long period of time,” he said.

Lacson was among the 14 senators who earlier sought Duque’s “immediate” resignation for his “failure of leadership, negligence, (and) lack of foresight” in addressing the coronavirus pandemic.

However, despite criticisms of how Duque is handling the coronavirus response, he still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte.

KGA