Makabayan bloc seeks probe on DOH's P67.32B COVID-19 fund management

The Makabayan bloc has filed House Resolution 2129 to investigate the Department of Health's (DOH) alleged "grave inefficiency," "gross incompetence," and "criminal negligence" in managing P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds.

This resolution urges the House committees on Good Government and Public Accountability, and Public Accounts to conduct the probe.

The lawmakers stated that the inefficiency and delay in delivering services amount to criminal negligence, given the high number of Filipino deaths due to the pandemic.

The filing of HR 2129 occurred as the House leadership invited the Commission on Audit (COA) to brief lawmakers on its 2020 Annual Audit Report on DOH.

Malacañang said it was letting Congress conduct a probe on the "deficiencies" the COA discovered in the management of some P67.32 billion in coronavirus (COVID-19) funds entrusted to the DOH in 2020.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that Malacañang cannot interfere with Congress's independent functions to conduct investigations.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III may give an answer during President Duterte's weekly public address on August 16.