Pacquiao on appointing Duque if elected: ‘Maraming mga bata pa’
MANILA, Philippines — If elected, presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao would rather give a chance to the younger generation and not appoint Francisco Duque III as health secretary, citing that the latter “failed” in responding to the pandemic.
In an interview, Pacquiao was asked if he would appoint Duque as health secretary if elected as president.
“Maraming mga capable pa, pagbigyan natin ng chance. Kasi dalawang beses na siya binigyan ng chance dyan sa DOH e. Siguro naman quota na siya, quota na siya sa dapat na ipakita nyang accomplishment sa DOH (Department of Health),” Pacquiao said.
“Nakita naman natin kung masaya ba ang mga tao o hindi. Maraming mga bata pa, mga fresh pa yung mind nila at gustong magsilbi sa bayan ng tapat, walang bahid ng corruption,” he added.
Asked how he would rate Duque’s response amid the pandemic, Pacquiao said the health secretary failed.
“Para sa akin, hindi naman natin na-anticipate yung COVID. Napakahirap talaga. Para sa akin ay bagsak ang rating kasi panghuli tayo eh,” Pacquiao said.
READ: Calls mount for Duque to resign
In response, Duque questioned Pacquiao’s basis for deeming his performance a failure amid the pandemic.
“Ano ang basis niya to say panghuli tayo? And the fact na sinabi niya hindi naman ina-anticipate ang COVID and napakahirap talaga, I do not get his logic na dapat bagsak ang rating ko!” Duque said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.
“Besides, he should look at the metrics that reflect our improving COVID-19 pandemic response compared to the far richer and more powerful countries!” he added.
Pacquiao was among the senators who signed the resolution that sought the resignation of Duque, citing the health secretary’s alleged “failure of leadership, negligence, (and) lack of foresight” in addressing the pandemic.
READ: Pacquiao’s plea to Duterte: Replace Duque
Despite these calls, Duque continuously got the support of President Rodrigo Duterte, who recently praised the health secretary for doing a “good job” at his post.
READ: Duque: ‘I have no problem resigning, but I was requested not to’
