Palace hands off on calls for Garin’s ouster

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday said it is up to Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin to decide whether she should resign from her post or take a leave.

Calls for Garin’s ouster mounted three days after she and military officials paid a visit to 132 peacekeepers quarantined on Caballo Island.

“Perhaps, it is best for Undersecretary (Janette) Garin to answer that particular call. As for any calls for resignation, to take a leave, we leave it to the official being called upon to respond,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.

On Tuesday, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), an alliance of health workers, said that Garin should vacate her post for allegedly breaching World Health Organization quarantine protocol when health and military officials led by Garin and Armed Forces Chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. did not wear any protective gear during their visit to the island last Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Palace spokesperson said that it is the discretion of Garin to apologize for her decision.

“The matter of the apology, we would leave it up to Usec. Garin. How she would weigh that particular call in her best…using her best judgment,” Valte added.

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