Graft charges filed vs former DOH Secretary

Former Health Secretary Enrique Ona             

 by Rita Salonga  via RH News          

Manila, Philippines - Former Health Secretary Enrique Ona and two other high-rank Health officials have been charged with Graft in connection with the alleged anomalous construction of a hospital, amounting to millions of pesos.

The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to press charges against Ona on the questionable modernization program of a hospital in region 1, which amounted to more than Php392million.

Ona, with DOH Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa and Assistant Secretary Nicolas Lutero III have been charge of violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act at the Sandiganbayan.
According to the Ombudsman, the three officials are guilty of graft and gave misconduct.

In line with this, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the removal of the three from their posts, they won’t be receiving their retirement benefits and have been barred from holding any government post.

In 2012, the DOH launched its modernization program in region 1 medical center, wherein the DOH conducted re-bidding.  The ombudsman however, insists that the said re-bidding was illegal and a clear move to favor a certain company.