Manila Bulletin
‘I am doing my best,’ Duque assures senators, but Drilon notes PH ‘faring worse’ than ASEAN neighbors
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III insisted before a Senate panel that he has been trying his best to lead the public health sector, asserting any lapses were not deliberate but a product of honest assessment of incoming data.
Duque denied allegations of corruption and mismanagement of PhilHealth funds, stating he takes full responsibility for his decisions and actions.
Despite Duque's assurances, Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon noted that the Philippines is faring worse against COVID-19 compared to its ASEAN neighbors.
At least 14 senators have called for Duque's resignation due to his handling of the pandemic.
However, President Rodrigo Duterte has consistently defended Duque against critics.
The Philippines had recorded 164,474 confirmed cases, 112,759 recoveries, and 2,681 deaths as of August 17, 2020.
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Senator Panfilo M. Lacson stated that Filipinos deserve a corruption-free PhilHealth and a competent Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, criticizing the prolonged tenure of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's agreement to attend the Senate hearing concerning alleged anomalies within PhilHealth.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has denied allegations of a "palakasan" or favoritism system in the release of funds through the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) at PhilHealth, asserting his zero tolerance for corruption and fraud.
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ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro questioned the silence of Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Francisco Duque III amid allegations of massive corruption at PhilHealth.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros is investigating Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's involvement in alleged irregularities at PhilHealth, where he has held multiple leadership positions since 2001.
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