The Department of Health (DOH) has temporarily paused the acquisition of tuberculosis commodities to conduct a thorough review of the transaction, framing the decision as an exercise of due diligence.
Newly appointed Health Secretary Jose Brittanio “Brix” Pujalte, who assumed leadership of the agency roughly a month ago, revealed that he was requested to approve a contract valued at ₱3.2 billion.
“So any one in his right mind would say ‘pause, let me review this because due diligence is important,’” he said on the sidelines of the National Hospital Week celebration in Manila.
The clarification follows an 18-page complaint submitted by health advocates to the Office of the Ombudsman, requesting an investigation and suspension of the health chief. The petitioners alleged that the procurement freeze was intentionally ordered to delay the process and benefit an unnamed favored supplier.
Pujalte defended his stance, emphasizing that exercising caution protects both public funds and the procurement process.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with erring on the side of caution rather than signing something of which if I did, they would say ‘bakit ang bilis mong pinirmahan yan? You’re probably complicit,’” he argued.
According to Pujalte, the pause aims to verify that the procurement adheres to government regulations, maintains transparency, and directly addresses the needs of local patients. He welcomed potential oversight from the Office of the Ombudsman, stating he is ready to submit all necessary records should formal proceedings begin.
He further assured the public that the agency remains committed to delivering safe and effective medical treatments.
“The best thing to do is to study something of such enormous amount and following the process, I am able to procure medicines that are good and will be the right medicine for our Filipino patients with tuberculosis. So pasyente muna,” Pujalte said.
This legal challenge comes shortly after Pujalte addressed separate allegations regarding casino visits, where he clarified that his presence at a hotel-casino was strictly for a courtesy meeting with local officials, dismissing the continuous attacks against him as a coordinated demolition job.