PACC says it is probing 13 possible corruption cases in DOH, DSWD

Thirteen cases of possible corruption in the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are being investigated by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), according to its chairperson on Monday.

"We are probing nine cases of corruption in DOH, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III knows it. This is ongoing," PACC chairperson Greco Belgica said during the Laging Handa briefing.

"For DSWD, we are investigating four cases since we received 9,000 complaints over SAP," he added, referring to the Social Amelioration Program or the distribution of cash aid to low income families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Belgica said this in response to allegations made by Senator Manny Pacquiao that there is corruption in DOH and DSWD involving expenses in COVID-19 response, such as personal protective equipment, antigen tests, and SAP.

Pacquiao has claimed that P10.4 billion worth of SAP funding was not distributed to beneficiaries.

DSWD Director Irene Dumlao, in an interview on Unang Balita on Monday, denied Pacquiao's allegation and urged the senator to show proof of his claim.

"Gusto nating makita yung datos na basihan ni Senator Manny Pacquiao sa nabanggit na bilang ng mga benepisaryo [ng SAP] ng nakakuha ng ayuda," she said.

She stressed that the funds used for SAP are "all accounted for."

Belgica, during the briefing, said they are coordinating with Pacquiao's office to address his concerns.

"Whether it is Senator Pacquiao or an ordinary citizen, we treat the complaints just the same," he said.

Belgica also assured the public that the corruption has not worsened under the Duterte administration. "What doubled is our effort to fight corruption," he said.

Pacquiao made the accusation against the DOH and DSWD after President Rodrigo Duterte dared him to back his claim that corruption worsened under the Duterte administration. —KBK, GMA News