5 DOH officials get suspended for 6 months over alleged delayed release of health workers' benefits

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered a six-month preventive suspension without pay on five Department of Health (DOH) officials over alleged failure to release the benefits of health workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Martires, in an October 27 order, identified the individuals as: 

• Director Kenneth Ronquillo of the DOH Health Human Resource Development Bureau;
• DOH Assistant Secretary Maylene Beltran;
• Dr. Roger Tong-an of DOH Administration and Financing Team; 
• Dr. Laureano Cruz of DOH Administration and Financing Team; and 
• Administrative Officer Esperanza Carating.

Martires said such a move is in accordance with the Ombudsman law and Rules of Procedure of his office. He added that the continued stay in office of the said officials “may prejudice the investigation of the case file against them." The suspension was also given in order to preserve documents and evidence pertaining to the case as the said officials have control and custody over them.

The Ombudsman’s suspension order tasks Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for implementation. 

Martires has repeatedly claimed that the DOH has been uncooperative in the Ombudsman’s probe on the DOH’s COVID-19 response.

Duque, on the other hand, has also said a number of times that DOH stands ready to cooperate with any investigation.

The DOH on Wednesday attested to the integrity of its five officials, but vowed to cooperate with the probe.

“We are supportive of our officials. These five officials have been with us for decades, nagbigay ng sakripisyo, commitment. Integrity-wise, mapagkakatiwalaan, kaya sana magkaroon na ng resolusyon ang kaso para makabalik na sila sa kanilang trabaho,” DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum. —KG, GMA News