Amidst the uproar on ongoing controversies allegedly involving Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s confidence in him remains.
President Duterte assured the health secretary on Monday night that it is not the time for him to leave his post.
“I have heard stories about you going to resign. I have full trust in you. Ang akin lang naman diyan ‘yung corruption (my take on that is corruption)…Let it be if you are not guilty of corruption.”
Secretary Duque expressed his frustration in the meeting with the President and thanked him for his “continued trust.”
”Yung mga pumirma, hindi ni-recommend for filing of the cases. Iyong hindi pumirma, ‘yon lang ang idinawit. Parang bakit naman ganun? What height of injustice, unfairness. And masakit po ‘yan, sir, ‘yung hindi ka nga pumirma ikaw pa iyong idinadawit — ipinipilit na idawit. Iyon, sir, ang hindi ko matanggap lang sa dibdib ko eh. Hindi ako nakakatulog ho dahil dito, sir. (Those who signed were not recommended for the filing of cases. Only those who did not sign were included. Why is this so? What height of injustice, unfairness. And what hurts, sir, is the fact that you did not sign and you are still included—forced to be included. I cannot accept it, sir. I am losing sleep over this, sir.)”
Meanwhile, more than 631 counts of malversation of public funds are being pushed by the Senate Committee of the Whole to be filed against alleged corrupt officials of PhilHealth including Secretary Duque as the board chairman of the agency.
“The President should talk to us and not just listen to the excuses. Better yet, ES (Executive Secretary) should have the President read the Senate report.” Senate President Vicente Sotto III insisted. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
