Duterte Defends Duque As He Faces Investigations On COVID-19 Anomalies
DUTERTE DEFENDS DUQUE – President Rodrigo Duterte defended Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as he faced Ombudsman investigations.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, Duque has been heavily criticized for his lack of leadership. Furthermore, a Senator even called his actions a “pattern of failure”. In addition, several lawmakers have asked for his removal from his post.
READ: Senators File Resolution Calling DOH Secretary Duque To Resign
However, even with all the heat directed toward the Health Secretary, Duque was never fazed. This was because Duterte would always come to his defense. For example, when the Senators called for Duque’s resignation, Duterte said that the Health Secretary would remain in his post.
Now, the office of the Ombudsman is probing Duque for alleged irregularities and anomalies over his handling of the Philippines’ COVID-19 response. But, Duterte came to defend Duque yet again during an address aired on Monday.
According to an article from Philstar, President Duterte stated:
I am very sure and I place my reputation on Secretary Duque that there was no corruption that happened there
Moreover, Duterte emphasized that he had believed that his people were honest and had integrity. Additionally, he said that Duque would not steal from government funds because he was already rich.
As per the article, Duterte said:
Dili na niya kaya. Dili na niya kaya kay dato na ni daan si Duque. Naa ni’y hospital, naa ni’y eskwelahan, naa ni tanan. Hasta tanang gwapang asawa, naa niya. Mao ni’y importante, tanang—tanang gwapa
Likewise, Carlito Galvez, the Coronavirus Task Force chief implementer also defended the Health Secretary and said he had nothing to do with the alleged procurement of overpriced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
READ ALSO: Duque Sad Excuse For Health Secretary Says Expert From Johns Hopkins