Former Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has requested the Sandiganbayan to dismiss his graft case concerning the alleged irregularities in the P41.46 billion funding transfer to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) during the COVID pandemic.
Duque’s arraignment was postponed as his legal team filed a motion to quash the case, which the anti-graft court has allowed the ombudsman, and prosecutors, 10 days to respond to.
He argued that the PS-DBM’s service fee for COVID-related procurements was lawful under Executive Order 359 and that the fund transfer was authorized by the Bayanihan Acts.
Duque insisted that there was no damage to the government, asserting that all actions were taken during a national public health emergency.
The court has tentatively rescheduled Duque’s arraignment for November 11.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 2, 2024
