Health workers groups condemn the dismissal of administrative cases vs Duque

📷HEAD | Facebook

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) and the Health Workers Partylist denounce the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to dismiss the administrative charges against former Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III concerning the P41 billion irregular Pharmally transaction.

HEAD and HWP express their disappointment that Duque has evaded administrative responsibility. The Ombudsman had previously determined that Duque was guilty of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty.

In the decision dated August 5, 2024, released on October 13, 2024, the Ombudsman granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Duque in May this year. Duque asserted that he can no longer be subject to the administrative complaint because of his separation from service on June 30, 2022.

The Ombudsman, following the reversal of the guilty verdict in the administrative case, has also nullified the penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits and the perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government that were imposed on Duque.

Despite the dismissal of administrative cases, Duque and former Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) head Christopher Lao still face graft charges before the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman found that  Duque and Lao allegedly caused injury to the government with the controversial transfer of P41.4 billion in DOH funds to Lao’s office in 2020 for procurement of COVID-19 supplies.

HEAD and HWP emphasize their demand for the prosecution and punishment of all individuals implicated in the irregularities associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including former Presidential Adviser and Chinese businessman Michael Yang, as well as former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Allowing those involved in the Pharmally case including top government officials to evade prosecution is unjust and a mockery of the sacrifices of our health worker martyrs and other Filipinos who died during the pandemic. The public funds lost in these graft cases came from the blood and sweat of the poor Filipino majority who pay taxes yet continue to suffer from inadequate health funds, facilities, services, and supplies.” #