Corrupt people want to get their hands on DOH funds, Gordon says

Senator Richard Gordon on Monday linked controversies that seem to perennially hound the Department of Health (DOH) and its officials to individuals to want to get their hands on the department's budget.

"Marami talagang gustong makapasok diyan dahil marami kasing perang nakalaan diyan," Gordon, chair of the Senate blue-ribbon committee, told Dobol B sa News TV.

Gordon added that there is a need to monitor DOH transactions against those engaged in illegal activities like the overpricing of medicines.

Gordon said this amid the Ombudsman's motu proprio investigation on the DOH and its officials, including Secretary Francisco Duque III, related to the alleged irregularities in the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation has prompted calls for Duque's resignation, but Gordon warned of changing leaderships often as it would affect the continuity of the department's programs.

"Ang suggestion ko i-overhaul at ikuha muna ng talagang mag-aaral kung bakit ganiyan sapagkat kung palit ka nang palit [ng leader], wala talagang continuity at ang mangyayari siraan nang siraan, at kung mahina-hina ang Pangulo, makikinig at makikinig doon sa mga intriga," he said.

But when asked if the blue-ribbon panel would look into the use of the DOH funds amid the pandemic, Gordon expressed dismay over the outcome of some of his previous investigations.

"Mag-iimbestiga ako eh hindi naman tinatanggal [yung opisyal]. Bihira ang tinatanggal. Kung puwede nga lang magpalakpakan na lang ang tao, bitayin kung bitayin, pero wala eh," he said.

"Minsan katulad nung kay [former Health Secretary] Garin, hindi naman itinuloy, di natigil. 'Yan, wala. 'Yung Mamasapano, wala rin. Kaya huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa kasi pag mawawalan tayo ng pag-asa mananalo lahat ng mga loko-loko na 'yan," Gordon added.

The senator had investigated Garin for the Dengvaxia mess. The incumbent Iloilo representative and 19 others were indicted by the Department of Justice last February over children's deaths allegedly linked to the controversial vaccine.

Garin, for her part, maintained that the charges hurled against her were baseless and reeked of politics.

Gordon mentioned the corruption in the DOH after he reiterated that some people may be interested in Duque's post amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reiterated that he is not siding with Duque.

"Di ako kumakampi kay Secretary Duque, 'di ko kinakausap si Secretary Duque tungkol sa isyu na ito... pero sa nakikita ko talaga, sa experience ko sa gobyerno, matagal na rin, nakikita ko talagang maraming aali-aligid diyan at kapag nagkaroon ng pagkataon, naku naglalaway 'yan," Gordon said without naming names.

"Tingnan ninyo kung sino ang mga kasama niyan. Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are." --KBK, GMA News