By Liza Soriano
Dr. Ted Herbosa did not show up during the Senate hearing on the Department of Health (DOH) proposed budget for 2024 on Thursday.
Earlier, the Commission on Appointment (CA) bypassed the appointment of Herbosa as the Health Secretary.
Senator Francis Tolentino questioned the absence of Herbosa.
“Administratively, who is in charge? Who will take the cudgels in defending the budget of this big department? We don’t have a secretary here,” Tolentino asked.
“Who is going to present? Is there an acting secretary? Is there an officer-in-charge who will be responsible for all these budget presentations, madam Chair? Otherwise, we’re talking to a clustered group of individuals,” he added.
Herbosa’s name was written on the guest list for the budget briefing.
Meanwhile, Committee senior vice-chair Sen. Pia Cayetano said that there are senior members of the agency who are present during the hearing.
“Actually all of the senior members of the team approached me a while ago and they acknowledged that of course, it is a bit of an awkward situation,” Cayetano said.
“But as you all know, Usec Dr. Vergeire was the OIC for many years and was very actively exercising her leadership not just in the past year, but even during the time of President Duterte. Usec. Dr. David is the most senior undersecretary. So I’m quite confident in the presentation today that they can answer,” she added.
Secretary Herbosa could not be reached for comment as of posting time Thursday. (ai/mnm)