Duterte allows health, vaccine chiefs to attend Senate inquiries

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday allowed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to attend Senate inquiries without his permission.

Duterte made this decision after requiring Cabinet officials to seek his approval before attending legislative hearings due to corruption allegations.

The President cited the need for Duque to complete his testimony at the Senate, as he had already testified before the House of Representatives.

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque defended Duterte's directive by citing legal precedents and a 2005 executive order that required Cabinet officials' consent from the President before appearing in congressional probes.