DOH: Not ideal to change leadership in middle of war vs pandemic

Health Sec. Francisco Duque III and Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire. FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines— It is not “proper” nor “appropriate” to change leadership in the middle of a pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday as it instead called for support and suggestions on how to improve the agency’s COVID-19 response.

DOH spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire said this as she expressed support to Secretary Francisco Duque III, whom President Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly refused to let go despite tangling in controversies.

“Kami naman po ay sumusuporta pa rin kay Secretary Duque and of course, to our President. Sa isa pong ganitong kalaking sitwasyon for health, it is really not proper at sa tingin ko hindi po appropriate na magpapalit po tayo ng pamunuan sa gitna ng pandemyang ito,” Vergeire said in an interview over Teleradyo.

(We support Secretary Duque and of course our President. In a health situation like this, it is really not proper and I think it is not appropriate to change leadership in the middle of this pandemic.)

“Atin na lang pong suportahan ang mga namumuno sa ngayon at tignan po natin kung saan pa tayo puwede maka-improve nga ting sitwasyon,” she added.

(Let’s just support our leaders right now and let’s see where we can improve in our situation.)

During a televised meeting aired Monday, Duterte told Duque: “Secretary Duque, this is not the time for you to resign. I have heard stories about, you’re going to resign. I have full trust in you.”

Now that the government’s efforts are “bearing fruit,” Vergeire expressed hope for a “unified” support to those leading the COVID-19 response.

“Nakakakita po tayo ng pagluwag ng sistema. Nakakakita po tayo ng magagandang indikasyon sa ating response for COVID-19. Sana po, magkaroon na lang ng unified na pagsuporta kung sino man po ang namumuno sa ngayon dito po sa ating bansa,” she said.

(We now see ease in the system. We now see good indications to our COVID-19 response. I hope there will be a unified support to whoever is leading our country.)

JPV