Duque denies ‘conflict of interest’ on family firm’s deal with gov’t

Health secretary Francisco Duque. GMA NETWORK
Health secretary Francisco Duque. GMA NETWORK

MANILA – Department of Health (DOH) secretary Francisco Duque said there was “no conflict of interest” in his family firm bagging two government contracts to supply medicine in public hospitals.

Duque on Monday added he has nothing to do with the contracts as he divested from the company on 2006 when he was appointed as government official.

“I had nothing to do with all of these contracts. I divested so how can there be conflict of interest?” Duque said.

“That is pure conjecture and speculation. Basta sa‘kin na-aayon sa batas na you have to divest if you know there is a potential conflict of interest,” he added.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said two supply contracts bagged by Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc. (DPI) lasted until Oct. 2017, when President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Duque as Health secretary.

Duque said DPI had a contract with Philippine International Trading Corp. Pharma Inc., which he added was under the Department of Trade and Industry and not the DOH.

Duque said he was not involved in his family firm during his time as a private citizen since he was “too busy” managing his family’s university in Dagupan.

“I’m too busy in Dagupan. We have a university…for almost 2 and a half years that consumed my time. This is in Taguig, so walang time,” said Duque./PN

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