Makabayan bloc wants Duque’s head over PhilHealth mess

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan lawmakers of the House of Representatives want Health Secretary Francisco Duque to be sacked over the current corruption issues in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the bloc wants Duque’s head to roll along with the board of PhilHealth, which the Health Secretary heads.

“Gusto naming ipanawagan na patalsikin kasama na ang board na pinamumunuan ni Sec. Duque,” he said in an online media forum.

(We want Secretary Duque booted out including the board he’s heading.)

Zarate hit Duque from distancing from the corruption issues even though the Senate has recommended the filing of charges against him over the alleged misuse of funds under the state-run agency’s emergency cash advance measure.

The Health official said the Senate “made baseless findings on mere allegations alone” when it made its recommendation.

“Napatunayan na niya sa pamumuno niya na talagang incompetent siya, wala siyang kakayahan kahit d’yan sa PhilHealth. You are the chair of the board at bilang pinuno, pinanamumunuan ang board ng PhilHealth eh hindi ka puwede mag hugas ng kamay,” Zarate said.

(He proved that he is incompetent to lead PhilHealth. You are the chair of the boar and as head, you cannot wash your hands off the issue.)

“Dapat akuin mo ang responsibilidad at kung may delikadeza ay umalis na siya kailangang may bagong transition na mamumuno d’yan leading towards [ng] pagpapalit ng sistema hindi lang ng PhilHealth, kundi kabuuan ng health care system ng ating bansa,” he added.

(You should take the responsibility and if he has any decency he should just resign.)

The Malacañang earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte continues to trust Duque even though there is a call for criminal charges against him. [ac]