Palace: Suspension of DOH chief up to Ombudsman

Malacañang will leave it to the Office of the Ombudsman to decide whether or not to order the preventive suspension of Health Secretary Jose "Brix" Pujalte Jr. over two complaints. The presidential palace stated that it is already within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction to determine whether a preventive suspension should be imposed to ensure a cleaner and more orderly investigation. "It is already within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction to determine whether a preventive suspension should be imposed to ensure a cleaner and more orderly investigation," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Alan Joseph L. Rañola said in a statement. Rañola added that the Ombudsman has the authority to conduct an independent investigation and make a decision on the matter. The details of the complaints against the Health Secretary have not yet been publicly disclosed.