Rody orders audit of military health funds

A government audit will be conducted on the funds allocated for the military’s health services, President Duterte announced Tuesday.

The President said he has pro­vided R50 million to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, also known as V. Luna Medical Center, every month but expressed concern such funds have been misused.

The commander-in-chief is­sued the statement following the dismissal of several top officials of the Armed Forces Philippines-Health Services Command for al­leged anomalous transactions.

“What is really very stupid about this whole thing is, I gave V. Luna, the AFP – it’s V. Luna Hospital – R50 million a month also. And the other hospital, another 50. There are two hospitals there. The AFP and I forgot the other one. That’s the V. Luna. And I gave them a new building because it was being used and the drainage was blow­ing up upwards,” the President said during a business forum in Malacañang Tuesday.

“I gave them the money because (Budget) Secretary (Benjamin) Di­okno was there and he said, “okay,” early on. So titingnan ko rin ito be­fore I go, I will create a big bang also. I want it audited kasi ‘yung pera na ibinigay ko was misappro­priated,” he added.

Dismayed with the corruption in the bureaucracy, the President has also pledged that that those military officials involved in fund anomalies would face public humiliation.

Duterte earlier ordered the re­lief and court martial proceedings against Brig. Gen. Edwin Leo Tor­relavega, head of the AFP-HSC, Col. Antonio Punzalan, commander of the V. Luna Medical Center, and 18 others for alleged anomalies at the military hospital.

“(AFP chief Carlito) Galvez showed to me the report and he was scratching his head, he said, ‘Mayor, sorry but this is what hap­pened,’” the President said.

“I said, ‘You court martial him. Create a court where he will appear before his peers and give him the most humiliating…,” he said, with­out finishing his sentence. (Genalyn Kabiling)