By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Malacañang has no intention of asking Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to take a leave amid a looming Senate investigation into the corruption allegation against him, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday.
“Like what the President said, if there is an accused, let him be investigated. But while there’s no result yet, the presumption of innocence under the Constitution applies to every person being accused of any wrongdoing,” he said in a dzRH radio interview.
Asked if the chief executive plans to ask Dugue to take a leave while the Senate inquiry is ongoing, Panelo answered: “wala (none)”.
Earlier, Senator Richard Gordon said the Senate blue ribbon committee may start its probe into the alleged conflict of interest involving Duque next week.
The inquiry comes following allegations that the Cabinet member was involved in the 2016 and 2017 government contracts awarded to the Duque family-owned Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc.
On Tuesday, Panelo said just like any complaint that reaches President Rodrigo Duterte’s table, the graft and plunder complaints against Duque will be subject to a ‘serious investigation’ by the Office of the President.
“Any allegation against any member of the Cabinet or against any official of the government of corruption or conflict of interest or any act illegal is always a serious concern of the Office of the President (OP),” he said.
Despite the allegations, Panelo maintained that Duterte still trusts Duque pending results of the OP’s investigation.
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