Palace respects Ona’s view

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang respects former health secretary Enrique Ona’s view that politics was behind his forced resignation from the Department of Health in connection with the DOH’s questionable purchase of P800 million worth of anti-pneumonia vaccines.

“We respect Secretary Ona’s personal view and we will continue to give him the opportunity to express his side,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.

Coloma made the statement after Ona expressed optimism that the National Bureau of Investigation would eventually clear him of any wrongdoing.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Ona is being probed for the DOH’s purchase of Pneumoccocal Conjugate Vaccine 10 (PCV 10) in 2012 instead of PCV 13, which is reportedly more effective and can cure more diseases.

Citing the complaint, De Lima said the DOH Bids and Awards Committee recommended PCV 13, not PCV 10, for procurement.

But DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag allegedly directed the agency to push through with the questionable purchase and Ona issued a certificate of exemption for PCV 10.

President Aquino admitted that he forced Ona to go on a month-long leave in late October, which was extended for a few more weeks until Ona called it quits and submitted his resignation, which Aquino accepted.

Ona made himself available for interview last Tuesday. He blamed politics for his being eased out of the Cabinet, noting that the health secretary post is a jumping board for those who have political ambitions.

“I’m sure there is politics there, among other things. I’m not a politician. Being a secretary of health is enough for me. I have absolutely no political ambition and that has been my solid position ever since,” Ona told The STAR.

Ona didn’t name names, but DOH Undersecretary Janette Garin, now the acting secretary, was a congresswoman of Iloilo province before joining the DOH.  – With Paolo Romero