Malacañang on Monday said allegations of gambling against Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. must undergo a thorough investigation before any action is taken against him.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the findings of the investigation would be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who would determine the appropriate course of action.
“Kung may ganito pong mga isyu ay dapat lang po talagang lumabas, kailangan pong maimbestigahan at kung anuman po ang kalalabasan nito ay hahayaan po natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon patungkol diyan (If issues like these arise, they should come out and be investigated. Whatever the findings may be, we will let the President decide on the matter),” Castro said.
Castro added that no decision has been made on whether Pujalte should be placed under preventive suspension while the investigation is ongoing.
She also said the President continues to have confidence in the Health secretary in the absence of concrete evidence supporting the allegations.
“Sa ngayon po na wala pa pong nailalabas na anumang concrete evidence, maliban lamang po talaga kung ito talaga ay makatotohanan na, doon lamang po kikilos ang ating Pangulo (As of now, no concrete evidence has been presented. The President will act only if the allegations are proven to be true),” she said.
A complaint has been filed against Pujalte for alleged violations of Presidential Decree No. 1869, which prohibits government officials from gambling in casinos and Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The Department of Health denied the allegations, saying Pujalte was attending a meeting with local government officials at a hotel on July 20 to discuss possible assistance for public hospitals.