The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed administrative charges against former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III concerning the alleged illegal transfer of ₱41 billion in Department of Health (DOH) funds to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2020. The Ombudsman noted that since Duque is no longer in public office, he cannot be penalized administratively.
This decision comes despite allegations that Duque authorized the transfer without a memorandum of agreement or required liquidation certifications. However, Duque still faces graft charges, with prosecutors alleging that the fund transfer did not expedite procurement and was unnecessary as the DOH could have managed it directly.
Duque has denied the graft charges, asserting that the transfer was lawful given the urgent need for COVID-19 medical supplies. Former Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lao, also implicated, has filed a motion to quash his graft charges, with his arraignment rescheduled for November 11.