PNoy awaits Ona explanation

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his speech during United Nation Climate Change Summit held at the UN Headquarters here on Tuesday (September 23). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Aquino yesterday revealed that Health Secretary Enrique Ona went on a month-long leave to answer several issues regarding the country’s health program.

“So he asked for a leave to prepare the answers to these questions,” Aquino said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Malacañang insiders said that it was the Office of the President who prepared the leave memorandum of the Health Secretary.

Aquino made the statemet during the inauguration of the Coca-Cola FEMSA bottling plant in Canlubang, Laguna.

He said that Ona failed to prepare answers when asked whether he was still hands-on on his daily duties as the Health Department’s secretary.

Given this, the President added that Ona personally requested to be given more time to prepare his explanations.

Aquino practically confirmed everything that came out in The STAR yesterday, from the questionable proposed rehabilitation of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa to contain the possible spread of Ebola virus in the country, to vaccination programs.

“We have questions to ask Secretary Ona, specifically about the vaccination campaign,” he said in Filipino. “We cannot immediately look for P600 million, especially that the proposed national budget is now with the Senate.”

Aquino also confirmed several issues on earlier reports including the questionable proposed rehabilitation of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Muntinlupa to contain the possible spread of Ebola virus in the country.