Manila Bulletin
Sotto dissatisfied with Duque's explanations in Senate hearing
Senators expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Health's (DOH) explanations regarding the utilization of its COVID-19 funds during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III stated he was not convinced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's explanations, noting Duque's tendency to blame others.
The hearing on August 18 questioned the DOH on the delayed release of health workers' benefits and deficiencies in spending over P67.3 billion of coronavirus response funds.
Duque and DOH officials attributed issues with special risk allowances (SRAs) and other benefits to private hospitals and the Department of Budget and Management.
Despite DOH claims of diligence and fund release, several hospital and health worker groups reported not receiving their allowances.
Senator Imee Marcos criticized Duque for allegedly passing the blame regarding the delayed release of benefits for healthcare workers.
Marcos urged Duque to provide a transparent accounting of allocated funds and consult directly with healthcare workers and hospitals.
Sotto indicated that many other issues remain unexplained and are yet to be taken up in future hearings.
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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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State auditors from the Commission on Audit (COA) will brief the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 17, regarding deficiencies found in the Department of Health's (DOH) utilization of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds.
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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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State auditors identified deficiencies amounting to P67.32 billion in the Department of Health's (DOH) COVID-19 funds for 2020.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon urged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to take responsibility for the delayed release of benefits to medical frontliners.
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