Ombudsman Orders 'Motu Proprio' Investigation On Duque, Health Officials

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered a “motu proprio” investigation on DOH Secretary Duque and other health officials.

The Office of the Ombudsman had ordered a “motu proprio” investigation on DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health officials.

This, as Ombudsman Samuel Martires had ordered a “motu propio” investigation on Duque and other health officials over issues that were raised in connection to the response of the Department of Health to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Ombudsman Samuel Martires, he directed the creation of two additional investigating teams who would investigate the alleged anomalies and irregularities that were committed by DOH employees and officials — including DOH Secretary Francisco Duque — in relation to DOH’s response during the pandemic.

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Ombudsman Samuel Martires said in a text message that was sent to the Senior Correspondent of Super Radyo dzBB Rowena Salvacion that DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III was being examined by his office over the following reasons:

purchasing 100,000 test kits by the DOH
delaying procurement of PPE and other medical gears that were necessary for healthcare workers’ protection
the increasing number of fatalities and infected medical frontliners
inaction in the processing and release of financial aid and benefits to infected and “fallen” medical frontliners
alleged irregularities and lapses that led to medical frontliners’ death
confusing and delayed reporting of coronavirus-related confirmed cases and fatalities

@OmbudsmanPh iimbestigahan na si Health Secretary Francisco Duque III kaugnay ng umanoy iregularidad sa DoH sa pagtugon sa Covid-19 pandemic @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ym7HOCVO1l
— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) June 17, 2020