MANILA — Former Department of Health (DOH) secretary Francisco Duque III claimed he has already posted bail for charges of violating the anti-graft law.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Duque said he posted bail on September 4 “immediately after finding out about the filing of the case before the Sandiganbayan.”
“I will be pursuing remedies available to me to question the resolution of the Ombudsman, not only in the Sanganbayan, but also with the Supreme Court,” Duque said.
Duque and Department of Budget and Management undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao were investigated for alleged irregularities following the DOH’s transfer of P41 billion to the Procurement Services of the DBM to purchase much-needed COVID-19 supplies.
Duque said getting the services of the PS-DBM in procuring medical supplies like face shields and face masks were necessary because the country was faced with a health emergency.
Lao was arrested by authorities on Wednesday morning in Davao City while on his way to court to post bail.
He was briefly detained at the CIDG Regional Forensic Unit 11 but was released after posting bail worth P90,000./PN
