Malacañang says any decision on whether recently appointed Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. will be placed under preventive suspension rests with the Office of the Ombudsman. Palace spokesperson Claire Castro states that it is within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to determine if preventive suspension is needed to support a cleaner and more impartial investigation of the complaints filed against him. The statements come after additional allegations are reportedly raised against Pujalte. One complaint is said to have been submitted to the Presidential Action Center, while another is filed with the Ombudsman; Palace adds that Pujalte has not yet spoken with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. since the complaints were filed. GMA News also reports that the issue involves allegations related to the “whimsical suspension” of procurement of tuberculosis drugs and other tuberculosis-related supplies. The Palace does not decide on the measure itself, instead deferring the matter to the Ombudsman, which will assess the complaints and determine whether preventive suspension should be imposed as part of its review and investigation process.