MANILA – More than half of the members of the Senate, including those allied with the administration, called for the immediate resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for his “failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency” in handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in the country.
Fifteen senators have signed the Senate Resolution No. 362, citing Duque’s shortcomings that resulted in “poor planning, delayed response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies” for COVID-19.
The following senators signed the resolution:
* Senate President Vicente Sotto III
* Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
* Sen. Sonny Angara
* Sen. Nancy Binay
* Sen. Grace Poe
* Sen. Manny Pacquiao
* Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
* Sen. Francis Tolentino
* Sen. Joel Villanueva
* Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa
* Sen. Imee Marcos
* Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
* Sen. Lito Lapid
* Sen. Panfilo Lacson
According to Sotto, there are two more senators who supported the resolution but has yet to sign it.
Angara, one of the signees of the resolution, said in a statement that the Philippines is in need of a more active leader who will address the COVID-19 health crisis.
“Whether he is removed or not, status quo cannot continue if we want to defeat the virus. Kelangan mas bibo ang liderato dito laban sa virus. We were late for testing, contact tracing is almost nonexistent, hospitals short of protective gear – we need to be better,” Angara said.
President Rodrigo Duterte is keeping his faith on Department of Health secretary Francisco Duque III amid calls from majority of senators for his immediate resignation.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea meanwhile said President Rodrigo Duterte is not sacking Duque as the country is in the middle of fight against the COVID-19.
“The President has made a decision for Health Secretary Duque to stay put,” Medialdea said. “He also expressed his appreciation for the Senators’ gesture in giving him the opportunity to weigh his options on the performance of Duque.”
“Secretary Duque was made aware of the sentiments of the Senators and the President expects him to work even harder to set aside any doubts on his capacity and sincerity to serve the public during these difficult times,” he added.
Duque, in February, faced senators in a hearing on the Philippine government’s preparedness against COVID-19. The Philippines only had two confirmed cases then. The Philippines now has 5,453 confirmed cases, 349 deaths, and 353 recoveries./PN
