The Department of Health said it would not be appropriate to replace Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the agency’s leader while the country is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa isa pong ganitong kalaki sitwasyon for health, it is really not proper and sa tingin ko hindi po appropriate na magpapalit po tayo ng pamunuan sa gitna ng pandemyang ito,” DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
[In a big health situation like this, it is really not proper and I think it’s not appropriate to change leadership in the middle of the pandemic.]
She added that his leadership has been enough in leading the government’s response against the coronavirus.
“Hindi naman po siya nagkulang sa direksyon at pamumuno sa kagawaran ng kalusugan at nakita naman natin how he has led the response for COVID-19.”
[Our health secretary did not lack in give directions and leading the agency and we can see how he has led the response for COVID-19.]
The agency is open to recommendations on how to improve its pandemic response, Vergeire further stated.
“Sana po magkaroon na lang ng unified na pagsuporta kung sinuman po ang namumuno sa ngayon sa ating bansa,” she said.
[We hope there would be a unified support to whoever is leading our country.]
Senators have several times called for Duque’s resignation for his “failure of leadership” in addressing the health crisis.
However, President Rodrigo Duterte have again and again expressed his trust in the health chief despite calls for his resignation and alleged involvement in the PhilHealth corruption schemes.
