By Mario Casayuran Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon expressed dissatisfaction over the supposed clearance by President Duterte of controversial Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III over the alleged overpricing of medical supplies intended to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Senator Franklin Drilon (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) ‘’I hope the statement of the President does not in any manner mean to absolve Secretary Duque,’’ Drilon said, referring to the President’s statement backing the beleaguered secretary despite allegations of overpricing of medical supplies. Drilon, nevertheless, called for a fair and impartial investigation despite the President’s pronouncement. ‘’These are taxpayers’ money we’re talking about here - to the tune of billions pesos getting wasted due to corruption or gross negligence,’’ Drilon, a former Justice Secretary said. Drilon pointed out that the issue raised against Duque is not the expensive personal protective equipment (PPEs) and equipment but overpriced DOH supplies and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth’s) testing package. He maintained that Duque has been remiss in his sworn duties as a public servant that endangered billions of public funds. ‘’He has become a liability,’’ he added. In a related development, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) wrote a letter to President Duterte requesting for the replacement of Duque as health secretary and chairman of PhilHealth. Senator Panfilo M. Lacson had earlier revealed that there is overpricing in the acquisition of medical supplies by the DOH. In a DWIZ radio interview last Saturday, Drilon said he would sign a second Senate resolution asking Duque to resign voluntarily for his weak leadership and for being inefficient. There were 14 senators led by Lacson who earlier signed the resolution asking Duque to vacate his post.