By Mario Casayuran
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday, April 16, said that it is the call of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign or not amid allegations that he mishandled the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Having said that, the resolution does not involve the President. It is virtually an appeal-demand, if you will, to Secretary Duque to resign and the reasons are stated in the resolution. It is his call,” Lacson said.
Lacson explained that the issues raised by the senators against Secretary Duque as stated in Senate Resolution 362 have commonalities as they are glaring and have bearing on the country surviving coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
He said he and majority of his colleagues in the 24-member Senate all agreed not to recommend any replacement.
“In case Secretary Duque quits, it is all up to the President being the appointing authority. We are simply for a competent Secretary of Health. Take note: Not more competent, but simply a competent one at the helm,” he added.