Malacañang on Thursday clarified that the complaint filed against Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr., along with any potential preventive suspension, now falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated during a press briefing that since the matter has been elevated, the constitutional body holds the authority to decide the next steps.
“Nasa hurisdiksiyon na rin po ng Ombudsman kung siya ay kinakailangan na magpataw ng preventive suspension para sa mas malinis na pag-iimbestiga sa naturang reklamo (It is now within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to determine whether to impose a preventive suspension to ensure a cleaner investigation into the complaint in question),” Castro said.
Additionally, Castro mentioned that she has not received any information regarding whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Pujalte have discussed the issue.
The controversy began when a complaint was initially lodged at the Presidential Complaints Center following sightings of Pujalte inside a casino. The case has since been escalated to the Office of the Ombudsman, with separate allegations also accusing Pujalte of delaying the procurement of anti-tuberculosis medications by the Department of Health.