DOH maintains support for Duque despite resignation calls — Vergeire

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday the agency maintains its support towards Health Secretary Francisco Duque III despite several calls for his resignation amid the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have always verbalized our support for our secretary… Kami ay nananatiling sumusuporta sa aming liderato. Lahat ng aming sinasabi sa inyo, we are very transparent,” Vergeire said in a press briefing.

Vergeire likewise defended the DOH as the public awaits the vaccine against COVID-19.

“We have our processes na ginagawa sa ngayon at itong mga prosesong ito, wala kaming nilalampasan, lahat ay tinutupad natin according to the different protocols and guidelines,” Vergeire said, referring to the procurement and assuring the safety of the vaccines.

“Kung saka-sakali po at mayroon tayong nakikita na mga impatience, nakikita natin, naiintindihan po namin ‘yan naiinip na yung mga tao especially for these vaccines but please try to remember that the government is trying to do its best so we can have the vaccines as early as next year but we need to also abide by the processes of government para maayos lahat and it’s going to be transparent and according to guidelines,” she added.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, Senator Manny Pacquiao urged President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Duque, who is being blamed for the government’s missed opportunity to secure Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine by January.

This was not the first time that Pacquiao called for Duque’s resignation.

In fact, in April this year, Pacquiao joined 13 other senators in calling for Duque’s resignation through a resolution due to the latter’s alleged mishandling of the pandemic.

INQUIRER.net has sought Duque’s comment but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

JE