Malacañang on Thursday deferred to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding whether acting Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. should face preventive suspension following a complaint over the alleged delay of a P3-billion tuberculosis drug procurement.

Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing that the executive branch will leave any suspension decisions to investigators.

“Since the case is already filed, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman to determine if a preventive suspension is necessary to ensure an impartial investigation into the complaint,” Castro said.

To recall, health advocates and medical workers filed an 18-page complaint Wednesday with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, requesting Pujalte’s dismissal.

The filing alleges grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, accusing Pujalte of improperly suspending anti-tuberculosis supply bidding to benefit an unnamed supplier.

The complainants argued that procurement timelines are mandated by law to prevent administrative corruption, claiming an indefinite suspension constitutes an “illegal sabotage of open competitive bidding.”

Pujalte denied the allegations, stating that a thorough review of the P3-billion budget is necessary to verify product quality, protect public funds, and prevent irregularities.

“I haven’t even been in this position for 30 days, yet they want to rush the approval of a P3-billion TB procurement without a deep review,” Pujalte said. “Three billion pesos belongs to the taxpayers. We should have learned from what happened during Pharmally. Human lives are at stake here.”

Pujalte expressed readiness to cooperate fully with the Ombudsman and submit all relevant documentation. He added that if he had signed off immediately, critics would have accused him of complicity.

In the same statement, Pujalte addressed separate allegations regarding casino gambling, denying claims that he violated Executive Order 60 or Republic Act 6713, which bar government officials from casino gambling.

Pujalte clarified that his presence at a hotel complex on 20 July was strictly for official business to attend a courtesy meeting with local mayors.