House panel chair says Duque's 'outburst' in inquiry understandable

Published August 19, 2021 11:39 AM By ANNA FELICIA BAJO,GMA News

For House committee on public accounts chairperson Representative Bonito Singson, the outburst of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during Tuesday's congressional hearing was understandable.

The said panel has conducted a motu proprio investigation into the Commission on Audit's findings on the DOH's "discrepancies" in the utilization of COVID-19 funds worth P67.32 billion. The probe will resume on Friday, August 20.

"Understandable naman 'yun, nasabi naman niya doon sa kanyang opening statement that they have been pilloried, bludgeoned, 'yung bugbog na bugbog na sila sa media at hindi sila parang nabigyan ng tsansang sumagot," Singson said in a virtual interview with reporters.

(That's understandable. He said at the beginning of the hearing that the DOH has been pilloried, bludgeoned, and that they were not given the chance to respond to the allegations.)

"Understandable po 'yung pagka-emotional niya kasi nga naman 'no sino ba naman ang matutuwa kung sasabihin na P67 billion, kinukuwestiyon..." he added.

(It's understandable that he is emotional. The amount being questioned is huge.)

During the inquiry, the Health chief said he and other DOH officials had been “sleepless” since the COA released the controversial report. He had claimed that the image and morale of the DOH had been destroyed because of the audit report.

“I think COA should also consider that we are not operating under normal circumstances. We’re operating under a state of public health emergency,” Duque had said.

“Winarak na ninyo kami. Winarak ninyo ang dangal ng DOH. Winarak ninyo ang lahat ng mga kasama dito,” he added.

(You destroyed us. You destroyed the honor of the DOH. You destroyed all my colleagues here.)

There had been calls for Duque to step down from his post following the release of the said audit report.

Despite allegations of corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte has backed the embattled Health secretary and said he would not accept Duque's resignation.

Singson said it would always be the prerogative of Duterte if Duque will be removed from his post or not. He said the President has repeatedly said Duque is among his most-trusted Cabinet members.

"That's his prerogative, wala po tayo magagawa doon (we can't do anything about it). Even if there's clamor for his resignation, if there is no decision from the President, si Secretary Duque hindi naman impeachable, kasi kung (is not impeachable because if he is) impeachable the Congress can initiate," he said.—AOL, GMA News

 

View on GMA News