Manny Pacquiao had recently called out President Rodrigo Duterte regarding alleged corruption in the government. President Rodrigo Duterte quickly addressed the issue and said “I’m challenging him. Ituro mo ang opisina na corrupt at ako na ang bahala. Within one week may gawin ako. Maglista ka, Pacquiao, na sinasabi mong two times kaming corrupt. Ilista mo ‘yung mga tao at opisina at dapat nilista mo na noon at ibigay mo sa akin,” he said in his Monday televised briefing.
Though the President and Senator both belong in one party (PDP-Laban), the two has been going back and forth about different issues. In an earlier statement by Senator Manny Pacquiao about the West Philippine Sea, President Duterte said “Apparently, this guy has a very shallow knowledge”.
Now Senator Manny Pacquiao had accepted the challenge into pointing corruption offices.
“Tinatanggap ko ang hamon ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Salamat po at binigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na tumulong sa inyo at bigyan kayo ng mga impormasyon para kampanya kontra korapsyon,” Pacquiao said.
He also addressed that he is not a liar, Mawalang galang po mahal na Pangulo, nguni’t hindi ako sinungaling. May mga naging pagkakamali ako sa buhay na aking itinuwid at itinama nguni’t dalawang bagay ang kaya kong panghawakan. Hindi ako tiwali at hindi ako sinungaling”.
He then goes into citing the Department of Health to be investigated for possible corruption.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (Photo from DOH Facebook)
“Magsimula tayo sa DOH. Silipin at busisiin natin lahat ng mga binili mula sa rapid test kits, PPE (personal protective equipment), masks at iba pa. Handa ka ba Sec. Francisco Duque na ipakita ang kabuuan ng iyong ginagastos? Saan napunta ang pera na inutang natin para sa pandemya?” he added.
DOH Health Secretary Duque said that his office is open for inquiries. “We submit ourselves to inquiries from legislators as this is a part of the checks and balances in our government. I have always been a champion of good governance and the DOH has always been transparent with regard to our fund utilization,” Duque said.
“Ang utang po natin para sa bakuna ay naipaliwanag na noon ng Department of Finance sa Senate Committee of the Whole hearing — ang inutang na pondo ay diretsong napupunta sa vaccine manufacturer mula sa funding agency,” he added.
It is remembered that in June 2020, there was an investigation by the Ombudsman on the Health Office regarding procurement of PPEs, machines, testing kits and benefits of heatlhcare workers.
