President Rodrigo R. Duterte has defended Secretary Francisco Duque III amid the controversy faced by the Department of Health (DOH) that is now being investigated by the Ombudsman.
According to the Chief Executive, his trust in Sec. Duque remains intact. The same goes with his other appointees.
“Malinis itong mga tao ko dito and I still believe in them. With due respect to the Ombudsman, the Honorable Martires, iniimbestiga pa niya. Pero kung ako lang ang tanungin, kung ako ang imbestigahin niya, eh di magpunta talaga ako sabihin ko na I believe in the honesty and integrity of my people. (My people here are untainted and I still believe in them. With due respect to the Ombudsman, the Honorable Martires, he is conducting the investigation. But if I were to be asked, if I were the one to be investigated, I will go to them and say that I believe in the honesty and integrity of my people.)”
In the President’s public address on Monday night, he gave an opportunity for the DOH Secretary to explain his side. Sec. Duque discussed the DOH process of distributing aid to their health workers who have been infected and who died due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the government’s procurement of PPEs.
“Magpapadala kami ng lahat ng mga kasagutan namin sa Ombudsman na sila po ang nagpadala ng subpoena para magsumite ng lahat ng mga dokumento patungkol po sa atin pong mga procurement. (We will send all our answers to the Ombudsman, who has sent the subpoena for us to submit all documents regarding our procurement.)” Sec. Duque III has assured. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
