The Palace expressed willingness to conduct an investigation on Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte in connection with a group’s gambling complaint, although it distanced itself from calls to suspend him.

In a Monday report by RH 14 Leth Narciso, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it was only right for the administration to probe whether the claim holds any truth.

Castro, however, did not give a definite answer as to whether the newly-appointed official should be suspended all throughout the investigation, or whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still trusts him.

The Palace official assured that President Marcos will be taking the appropriate measures should strong evidence against Pujalte be discovered.

“Kung may mga ganitong isyu ay dapat lang po talagang (malabas). Kailangan pong maimbestigahan. At kung anuman ang kalalabasan nito ay hahayaan p0 natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon patungkol diyan,” Castro said.

The Health secretary has previously refuted the complaint against him, calling it a “demolition job.” He clarified that his hotel visits are merely for official gatherings and for other work purposes.