A senator has called for the former president of the Philippines to be charged with graft over the improper transfer of billions of pesos for the country’s COVID-19 response. The senator’s statement came after a former health secretary revealed that the former president approved the controversial fund transfer, which was flagged by the Commission on Audit.
The senator emphasized that the former president should be held accountable for his role in the overpriced pandemic supply contract with a pharmaceutical firm. The former health secretary, who namedropped the former president, is facing his own graft indictment for the anomalous fund transfer.
The former president’s involvement in the transfer of funds was described as key to the corruption scandal by a former senator. The former health secretary defended the procurement of supplies during the pandemic, stating that it was legal and in accordance with the law.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against the former health secretary and another official over the irregular fund transfer. In response, the former health secretary plans to file a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman’s order.
