Ombudsman: Probe results on DOH 'lapses' in protecting health workers out 'within a month'

Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday said the results of his office’s probe into the alleged lapses of the Department of Health in protecting health workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic will be out "within a month."

Martires was referring to the June 2020 probe by his office on the following issues:

• purchase of 100 thousand test kits by the Department of Health
• delayed procurement of PPE and other medical gears necessary for the protection of healthcare workers
• alleged lapses and irregularities that led to the death of medical workers
• rising number of deaths and infected medical frontliners
• inaction in the release processing of benefits and financial assistance of “fallen” and infected medical frontliners; and
• confusing and delayed reporting of COVID-19 related deaths and confirmed cases

“We are almost finished in our probe on the aspect of delayed payment of benefits to fallen health workers and delayed procurement of PPE. These PPEs should have been purchased earlier in January where there are already COVID-19 cases happening in China,” Martires told CNN Philippines in an interview.

“We will release it within a month,” he added.

Martires also said the Ombudsman is also investigating the DOH's transfer of P42 billion pandemic response funds to the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service, which has also been the subject of separate investigations by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Yes, while the Senate and House are investigating, we are also investigating,” he said.

The Senate blue ribbon probe has unearthed billions of pesos worth of procurement contracts awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. despite it having only P625,000 in paid-up capital.

No probe on Gordon yet

The Senate probe also found out that deals were made with Pharmally for the procurement of pandemic-related items even if the government has asked local producers to repurpose their resources and manufacture such items.

For leading the Senate investigation, Senator Richard Gordon drew the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte, who accused him of corruption by allegedly funneling P80 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

The President even said he will ask the Ombudsman to probe such action by Gordon, who chairs the PRC.

Martires, during the CNN interview, said there is no ongoing investigation on Gordon.

"The President did not file a complaint against Gordon. He did not make a follow-up and we are still waiting for the COA (Commission on Audit) report on that P80 million," he said.  —KBK, GMA News