Ombudsman to decide on fate of DOH chief
The Philippine government has stated that the Office of the Ombudsman will determine if Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. should face preventive suspension following a graft complaint. The complaint alleges that Pujalte improperly delayed a P3 billion procurement of tuberculosis medication, an accusation he denies as part of a due diligence process.
Why it matters
The case involves potential corruption in public health procurement, which directly impacts the availability of essential medicines for the population.
MANILA, Philippines - It's up to the Office of the Ombudsman to decide if newly appointed Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. should be placed under preventive suspension after a graft complaint was filed against him on Wednesday, according to Malaca ang.
"If the case is in the ombudsman, that is within the jurisdiction of the ombudsman to determine whether a preventive suspension is needed to fast-track the investigation of the said complaint," Palace press officer Claire Castro told a media briefing yesterday.
Castro has no information on whether President Marcos and Pujalte have discussed the matter that stemmed from a complaint alleging that the health chief ordered the suspension of procurement of anti-tuberculosis commodities worth P3 billion for this year.
Pujalte said he is open to any investigation by the ombudsman after the graft complaint against him was filed by a group of health advocates, who requested anonymity.
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