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Ex-Ombudsman Morales confident in fairness of probe on DOH's COVID-19 response
By DONA MAGSINO,GMA News Former Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court associate justice Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday expressed confidence that the anti-graft body will come up with a fair report from its investigation on the alleged irregularities in the Department of Health's COVID-19 response.
In a virtual town hall forum hosted by the Stratbase ADR Institute, Morales said she is "fortunate" to have left people with integrity in the Office of the Ombudsman who "cannot be cowed by outside influence."
"Given the apparent passion of the present team of investigators dwelling on the alleged irregularities attendant to the discharge of office by the Department of Health, I would suppose that they would come up with a fair report and fair recommendation," she said.
She also maintained that the investigation must push through even though President Rodrigo Duterte vouched for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's integrity.
"Irrespective of the announcement by the President that he still believes in the integrity of the Secretary of Health, it has nothing to do with the integrity of the Secretary of Health, it has something to do with alleged irregularities in the system itself," Morales said.
Earlier this month, Ombudsman Samuel Martires bared that he ordered a motu proprio investigation on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health officials
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Among the allegations being investigated are the delayed procurement of personal protective equipment and other medical gears necessary for the protection of healthcare workers; lapses and irregularities that led to the death of medical workers; inaction and delay on the release of benefits for "fallen" health workers; and confusing reporting of COVID-19-related deaths and confirmed cases.
The DOH, for its part, welcomed the probe but said it has affected the morale of their personnel.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged Duque to take a leave of absence to give way to an impartial investigation but the DOH said it cannot afford to lose a leader in the middle of a health crisis.
The Palace, meanwhile, assured that the Ombudsman investigation would not be influenced by Duterte's continued support for Duque.—AOL, GMA News