DOH welcomes Ombudsman probe on irregularities in COVID-19 response

“The DOH has been transparent in the COVID-19 response including procurement transactions and the provision of benefits to healthcare workers,” the agency said.

It also claimed that it already issued checks to relatives of all 32 fallen healthcare workers and 19 severe COVID19 patients who recovered last June 9.

“New claims to said benefits are being processed to this day,” the DOH added. 

“The President also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation last May 26 to investigate the issues raised on the procurement of PPEs, machines, and testing kits by the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management,” the department further said. 

Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered an investigation on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other department employees earlier in the day.

The investigation will focus on the delayed procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical gear for healthcare workers; alleged lapses and irregularities that led to the death of medical workers, and the rising number of COVID-19 deaths and infected medical frontliners; inaction in the release and processing of benefits and financial assistance of fallen and infected medical frontliners; and the confusing and delayed reporting of Covid-19 related deaths and confirmed cases.

Two other investigation teams will focus on the purchase of 100,000 test kits by the DOH and reports regarding use of test kits invented by a University of the Philippines laboratory.

Martires said the Ombudsman Field Investigation Office started investigations a few weeks before the March 15 lockdown, but investigators were given a runaround by some DOH personnel who passed them from one department or office to another. 

Malacañang meanwhile said it respects the Ombudsman’s investigation of Duque and other health officials and enjoined the entire DOH bureaucracy to cooperate with the investigation.