No mafia in DOH — Sec. Francisco Duque III

MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday challenged a former consultant of the Department of Health (DOH) to substantiate his claim a “mafia” operates at the agency.

“He who alleges must have the burden of proof.  If he has evidence, show it. Send it to me and I will have it thoroughly investigated,” the health chief said.

Duque stressed he would not allow accusers “to tarnish the good reputation of the DOH (that) it has gloriously built over the years, by spewing unsubstantiated allegations.”

He encouraged them to file cases before the Office of the Ombudsman, if they can produce evidence of corruption in the department, and allow those accused to “respond formally and clear their names.”

“While the allegations are still unsubstantiated at this point, I will order a review of the contracts entered into by the previous administration,” Duque said.

The health chief was reacting to the allegation of former consultant Francis Cruz that incumbent and former DOH officials, led by former secretary Janette Garin, are involved in a mafia that plundered government funds through “anomalous projects” that include the purchase of P3.5 billion worth of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Cruz, who stood as a witness of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption during the Senate hearings on Dengvaxia, said this mafia was also behind anomalous infrastructure projects and procurement of medicine.

According to Duque, some of the officials implicated by Cruz were appointed under the Duterte administration.            

“So, does it mean that he (Cruz) is questioning the wisdom of appointing these people to the position? Some of them were not even here when the vaccination program (was being implemented),” he said.

He stressed that he still has confidence in the long legacy of professionalism, competence and integrity, which has once made the health department No. 1 among line agencies of government in terms of integrity development efforts during his first term as secretary of health.  

“Now that we are back at the DOH, we will strengthen our good governance campaign and ensure that our officials and staff adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. We will definitely not tolerate corruption,” Duque added.