DBM to submit documents on COVID-19 funds for Ombudsman probe

MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management said Wednesday it would submit documents the Office of the Ombudsman requested for an investigation on the disbursement of funds for the government's COVID-19 response.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado assured Ombudsman Samuel Martires of the department's cooperation with the investigation.

Martires earlier said his office sent subpoenas to Avisado and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to seek documents in line with the Ombudsman's probe on alleged lapses in the DOH COVID-19 response.

• Ombudsman to send subpoenas to DOH, DBM to track COVID-19 funds

"Nakahanda po ang ating kagawaran na tumupad sa mga kautusan na iyan," Avisado said in a virtual press briefing.

(Our department is ready to fulfill the requirements asked of us.)

"Kami naman dito sa DBM ay nakahanda at bukas nga sa pagkakaalam ko, isusumite na namin 'yung mga dokumento na hinihingi ng Office of the Ombudsman," he added.

(The DBM is ready and as far as I know, we will submit the documents requested by the Office of the Ombudsman tomorrow.)

As of June 24, Avisado said funds amounting to P355.68 billion have been released to various government agencies for coronavirus response interventions.

• Budget chief: Funding COVID-19 response a 'continuing saga'