Health chief Ona offers courtesy resignation —report

(Updated 9:32 a.m.) Health Secretary Enrique Ona has tendered his courtesy resignation at the end of his one-month leave, even as he belied a supposed irregularity in the purchase of medicines under his watch.

A report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Friday quoting the Philippine Daily Inquirer said Ona was in Malacañang Thursday and offered his resignation to President Benigno Aquino III.

The Inquirer quoted him as saying his courtesy resignation was "the best thing to do in this situation.”

But he maintained he has the documents to prove there was no irregularity in the acquisition of medicines.

GMA News is trying to contact Ona, as well as Malacañang and Department of Health officials on the matter.

Ona went on medical leave last Oct. 28, supposedly due to an allergic reaction to a hair dye he used.

But on Nov. 3, Aquino said he asked Ona to reassess the country's immunization program, prompting the Cabinet official to go on a "personal" leave.