Manila Bulletin
Due process must be observed before suspending any gov’t official --- Duque
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that due process must be observed before any government official can be suspended, emphasizing that suspensions require a formal investigation to establish a prima facie case and a valid complaint.
Duque's statement came after Senator Grace Poe suggested he should have been suspended due to deficiencies found in the Department of Health's (DOH) use of COVID-19 funds, as flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).
He asserted that suspensions cannot be arbitrary and must follow established procedures, citing his past experience as Civil Service Commission chair.
Duque also pointed out that the COA issued a clarificatory statement indicating no audit findings showed funds were lost due to corruption.
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Senator Grace Poe questioned why Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has not yet been suspended, even preventively, by the Office of the Ombudsman.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the Commission on Audit's (COA) report on the Department of Health's (DOH) P67.32 billion COVID-19 fund use has demoralized the agency.
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President Rodrigo Duterte revealed he has rejected Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's resignation offers twice, stating he would not tolerate corruption among his Cabinet members.
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