Duterte on Department of Health: “I am not defending DOH… I’m just sharing my opinion.”
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – President Rodrigo Duterte denied defending DOH after it was flagged by the Commission on Audit over deficiencies on budget spending for COVID-19 response.
COA is an independent constitutional commission established by the Constitution of the Philippines. It has the primary function to examine, audit and settle all accounts and expenditures of the funds and properties of the Philippine government.
Duterte earlier said that it’s “impossible” for the health department to steal P67.3 billion.
COA has flagged DOH for allegedly questionable items such as the planned purchase of 4 laptops amounting to P700,000; P42.4 billion fund transfer to the DBM without proper documentation and failure to disburse some P4.8 million in financial assistance to health care workers.
Meanwhile, Duterte stressed according to Inquirer that he is not defending DOH and just sharing his opinion with regard to the COA report.
Duterte made the statement citing reports that he’s defending the health department over “anomalies.”
In his statement, he also mentioned the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the executive body responsible for the sound and efficient use of government resources.
He also reminded COA to “kindly reconfigure everything and sabihin sa una… there is no corruption here, there is no money involved.”
DOH made headlines after it was flagged by COA for the “deficiencies” in its use of funds to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said that DOH was given 60 days to respond to its recommendations.
Amid the issues hurled against the health department, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not accept Duque’s resignation if ever he steps down from his post as health chief.
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