Duque still faces graft raps before Sandiganbayan

The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday said the dismissal of administrative charges against former health secretary Francisco Duque III will not bear weight in his P41-billion criminal case for graft before the Sandiganbayan.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

In a 10-page order, the ombudsman said it withdrew the charges of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Duque, as he was no longer health secretary when the charges were filed earlier this year.

This was in connection with the alleged irregularities in the health department's transfer of P41 billion of health funds to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM).

Asked whether this would have any bearing in the graft case, Ombudsman Samuel Martires told reporters: "none."