Resignation calls vs Duque amid COVID-19 should be ‘eye-opener’ for DOH to ‘shape up’

MANILA, Philippines — Calls for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III should serve as an “eye-opener” for the Department of Health (DOH) to “shape up” amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said.

“This should be an eye-opener for DOH to shape up. Gampanan nila ang tungkulin nila sa panahon na pinaka-kinakailangan ang kanilang mabilis na aksyon,” Go, chair of the Senate health committee, said in a statement on Thursday.

This after 14 of his colleagues in the Senate filed a resolution seeking Duque’s “immediate resignation” over his “failure in leadership” in addressing the pandemic.

“Wala silang (DOH) excuse dahil ibinigay naman ng Pangulo ang lahat ng tiwala at resources upang magawa nila ang kanilang mandato,” Go said.

“Kailangan rin nilang mas makinig sa mga hinanaing ng mga tao at sa mga Senador na kinatawan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.

While Go agreed that there had been lapses with how DOH responded to the outbreak, he said it would be challenging to replace the health chief in the middle of the crisis.

“Nais ko rin ipahatid ang aking posisyon na sa panahong ito, mahirap na magpalit pa tayo ng ‘kapitan’ sa gitna ng digmaan. Tulungan nalang natin siya at magbayanihan tayo para mas mabilis nating malampasan ang pagsubok na ito,” he said.

“Ibang klaseng giyera ang hinaharap natin ngayon at ang kalaban ay hindi natin nakikita. Kailangan ang kooperasyon ng lahat. DOH cannot do it alone. This is the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the military to get involved given their expertise in handling crisis situations,” he added.

Go was referring to the COVID-19 national task force led by retired military men namely Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

“The whole government and even the private sector are taking part in this fight in order for us to heal as one,” he said.

“We are fighting for survival. Laban naman ito ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino. Kaya dapat ay magtulungan at magbayanihan muna tayo ngayon,” he added.

“DOH needs to work with everyone the same way we need them to step up and work better for our country to overcome this crisis,” he further said.