Deputy Speaker: Premature to say COA report 'destroyed' DOH

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said it is premature for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to claim that the Commission on Audit's (COA) report on deficiencies in the Department of Health's (DOH) PHP67-billion allocation for COVID-19 response has destroyed DOH's reputation and morale.

Rodriguez noted that COA's report only contains findings subject to explanation by the DOH within 60 days, and there is no final judgment yet on corruption.

Senators Richard Gordon and Risa Hontiveros echoed Rodriguez's stance, emphasizing that COA is merely fulfilling its mandate and not out to destroy DOH.