Ombudsman to probe DOH, including Duque

June 17, 2020

The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday said they will conduct an investigation on Department of Health (DOH) officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over alleged irregularities  by the agency in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires said he created two more investigation teams who will jointly probe the irregularities and anomalies committed by DOH on the delayed  procurement of Physical Protective Equipment (PPE), and other medical gears for health workers; alleged lapses and irregularities that led to the death and infection of health workers; inaction in the release and processing of benefits and financial assistance for health workers; and confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19 related deaths and cases.

Martires said the new investigating teams are created after they evaluated the initial reports they gathered and upon the recommendation of Assistant Ombudsman Caesar Asuncion, Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon and Assistant Ombudsman Jose Balmeo Jr.

“I directed the creation of two more investigating teams who will jointly investigate alleged irregularities and anomalies committed by DOH officials and employees, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque (III),” Martires said.

This team is in addition to the ones they created last March 15, who are investigating DOH's purchase of 100,000 test kits and the use of invented test kits by the University of the Philippines.

“A few weeks prior to the lockdown of March 15, the Office of the Ombudsman through its Field Investigation Office started to conduct an investigation but our investigators were given a runaround by some DOH officials and personnel by referring us from one department or office to another,” Martires said.

To prevent the same incident, he authorized the Joint Investigation Team to file necessary criminal and administrative cases against any official or employee who fails or refuse to comply with the legal process, orders, and requests by the team; who willfully obstructs, or hinders the conduct of investigation; and those who willfully misleads or attempts to mislead the Office of the Ombudsman.

Last April, 14 senators signed a resolution asking for the immediate resignation of Duque for his “failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency in the performance of his mandate” in responding to the pandemic.

The senators claim shortcomings resulted in "poor planning, delayed response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies" for COVID-19. Ella Dionisio/DMS