Palace on Ona’s fate: Let’s not jump the gun

"Let's not jump the gun."

This was Malacañang's statement on Wednesday when asked about speculations that on-leave Health Secretary Enrique Ona will be eased out of his post.

"There may be impressions like that but again... as the President said, he gave questions, he is waiting for the answers," deputy presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.

President Benigno Aquino III admitted last week that he asked Ona to go on leave following alleged irregularities in the bidding process for the country’s immunization program.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is currently investigating why the DOH, under Ona's watch, purchased expensive vaccines in 2012 despite recommendation to buy more cost-effective ones.

Valte nevertheless said that "a decision will be made" once Ona presents his answers to Aquino on this controversy.

The Palace official further clarified that acting Health Secretary Janette Garin has not officially taken over Ona's post.

Valte further explained that Garin has limited powers as the DOH's acting head.

"There are some acts that an acting secretary cannot perform without higher approval," the Palace official said.

Garin is currently facing criticisms from some senators and her fellow doctors for supposedly breaching protocol against the spread of the deadly Ebola virus when she visited quarantined soldiers over the weekend. — BM, GMA News