By Analou De Vera
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has expressed his readiness to answer his critics amid calls for him to resign over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (Facebook)
"We will answer these allegations in due time. But right now, we will continue to be in the trenches with our healthcare workers and frontliners," Duque said in a statement.
At least 15 senators are calling Duque to resign from his position as DOH chief due to his "failure, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency" in addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
Despite the criticisms, Duque said he intends to continue to serve the country "to the best of his abilities."
The Health chief urged the public to “work as a team” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us work as a team, as one country fighting for the health and safety of all,” he said. “This is not a fight of one man or one agency, it is a fight for all of us Filipinos.”
Duque said the country is “at war with an invisible enemy which to this day remains unpredictable.”
“As such, we adapt and innovate. Despite all the challenges and limited resources, DOH is making sure that we, as a nation have a fighting chance against COVID-19,” he said.