Press Release
August 25, 2021

Poe: Demand accountability from DOH

Sen. Grace Poe reminded Health Sec. Francisco Duque III to assume accountability for his department during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

In her opening statement, Poe cited the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines or Presidential Decree No. 1445 that states, "The policy of the State that all resources of the government shall be managed... in accordance with law and regulations, and safeguard against loss or wastage... The responsibility to take care that such policy is faithfully adhered to rests directly with the chief or head of the government agency concerned."

"Hindi pupwede na ide-delegate palagi sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho—mismong ang namumuno ng ahensya ang may responsibilidad," Poe said.

The Commission on Audit recently flagged the Department of Health (DOH) on its inefficient fund utilization, procurement deficiencies, and non-compliance with rules on granting COVID-19 allowances to health workers, among others.

"Somebody must be held accountable. Habang walang nasasampolan, paulit-ulit ito at walang matututo," said Poe who earlier questioned why Duque hasn't been suspended despite leaving a number of hospitals and health workers disgruntled.

Last year, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the suspension of eight PhilHealth executives who faced administrative and criminal complaints over the alleged misappropriation of P2.7 billion in Interim Reimbursement Mechanism funds.

The DOH has since committed to release P311 million from its contingency fund to distribute the special risk allowance to 20,000 health workers amid threats of mass resignations.

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