Cayetano not joining call of some senators for Duque resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday he is “not joining” the call of several senators for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to step down from his post amid the coronavirus pandemic.

During the technical working group (TWG) meeting of the health subcommittee of House’s Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC), Cayetano was asked about the stand of the lower chamber about the resolution signed by at least 14 senators for Duque to resign.

Cayetano, however, said that there is no consensus in the House yet about the call.

“My personal opinion is I’m not joining the call of the senators for the secretary’s resignation,” Cayetano said.

“I have not consulted or there’s been no consensus with members of House because this is a recent development. But I’d like to say that precisely we need a new mindset during these times,” he added.

Cayetano said the attitude of the House at the moment is “to get everyone together.”

The Speaker also said he was consulting Duque about various issues such as possible financial problems, particularly on the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Madali talaga ngayon to say na resign ito, ito may kasalanan (It’s easy to ask for resignation…that he’s the culprit). I don’t know right now. I’m not in the position to judge the performance of the secretary because we’re still in the middle of asking questions but I can tell you, he’s been answering my phone calls, he’s been answering the questions that I have,” Cayetano said.

At least 14 senators signed Senate Resolution No. 362 which cited Duque’s alleged “failure of leadership, negligence, (and) lack of foresight” in addressing the pandemic.

The senators said Duque’s “inefficiency” in performing his mandate as Department of Health (DOH) secretary resulted in the “poor planning delayed response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies and measures in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that endangered and continue to endanger the lives of our healthcare professionals, other frontliners, and the Filipino people.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that President Rodrigo Duterte has decided that Duque will “stay put” from his post.

Meanwhile, Duque admitted that he was “really hurt” by the Senate’s move but said that he would stay in his post as long as President Rodrigo Duterte trusts him.

“But this I have to say. I serve the pleasure of the president and as long as he continues to put his trust and confidence in my capabilities, I will lead the DOH and IATF in putting forward a very effective response against COVID-19 in the country,” Duque said.