No ‘sacred cows’ in DoH probe – Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday there will be “no sacred cows” in the department’s probe into the alleged anomalous purchase of Influenza A(H1N1) testing machines.

At the same time, Duque disclosed that the Department of Health (DoH) Bids and Awards Committee will reveal within the week the results of its investigation conducted last August into the reported bidding irregularity.

“I would like to emphasize that there will no sacred cows here. Kailangan parusahan ang dapat parusahan,” Duque said in an interview.

“Napaimbestigahan na natin ito nung August pa. But our hands are tied with preparations for the ‘paputok’ that’s why we were not able to come out with our final report,’’ he explained.

Duque was reacting to the challenge posed by a labor group to resolve the anomaly in the bidding of the flu testing machines before he vacates his seat and moves over to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Since the health chief’s post is co-terminus with that of President Arroyo, Duque is expected to resign his post following the appointment of a new health secretary after the May 2010 election.

Before he leaves the DoH, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said Duque should first see to it that “appropriate actions have been taken against all officials involved in the alleged irregularity.’’

“If it is true that Mr. Duque is resigning his post in favor of a new appointment as CSC chairman, then he should rectify the problem right away because potential foreign donors are watching,’’ the largest labor organization said in a statement.

“The health department should be able to demonstrate that it can conduct transaction involving the campaign against A(H1N1) and other diseases transparently and uprightly, and that it is swift to take corrective steps when needed,’’ it stressed.

The group said the DoH has yet to conclude the inquiry despite having said that an investigation had been started since August.

“Now it’s January… and no clear results have been made public,” TUCP said.

The reported bidding anomaly, which started in early 2009, points to officials of the DoH Research Institute for Tropical Medical (RITM) conniving with a Swiss-owned entity, Roche Philippines Inc, to corner the supply of millions of pesos worth of flu-testing machines.

TUCP claimed that the Swiss firm lost in the open and competitive bidding for the contract but won anyway after RITM officials hastily moved to acquire the machines via a negotiated purchase.

The labor group expressed doubt with the undue delay in the inquiry, adding that the DoH seems to “try to cover up something or protect some officials.” –SHIANEE MAMANGLU, Manila Bulletin