MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday said he is “overwhelmed” by President Rodrigo Duterte’s continued trust and support after the President told him not to resign from his post.
“I am overwhelmed. Our president’s continued trust and support inspires us to work even harder,” he said in a Twitter post.
The Health chief thanked his “DOH family” for “working tirelessly” amid the pandemic.
“I would also like to thank my DOH family and their profound dedication, working tirelessly in spite of the risks from the pandemic,” Duque said.
In a televised speech on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte told Duque that this is not the time for him to resign.
“I have heard stories about, you’re going to resign. I have full trust in you. Ang akin lang naman diyan ‘yung corruption.”
“There’s an investigation going on, let it be, if you’re not guilty of corruption…ang kalaban ko lang ho ‘yung corruption,” he added.
I am overwhelmed. Our president’s continued trust and support inspires us to work even harder. I would also like to thank my DOH family and their profound dedication, working tirelessly in spite of the risks from the pandemic.
— Francisco T. Duque III (@SecDuque) September 8, 2020
The President was referring to the investigation led by the Department of Justice on the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), where Duque also serves as ex-officio chairman.
The Senate Committee of the Whole, which conducted an investigation into the PhilHealth fund mess, recently recommended the filing of criminal charges against Duque and several others over the allegedly questionable release of billions of funds under the agency’s emergency cash advance measure.
Duque has since dismissed the committee’s findings as “baseless” that were made on “mere allegations alone.”
Aside from criminal charges, the Senate panel also called on Duterte to replace Duque and appoint a new health secretary “who has a stronger will to fight corruption.”