CBCP official questions data on COVID recovery


An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Health Care said the Department of Health should explain the sudden rise in the number of recoveries among COVID-19 patients in the country which is puzzling to many.

Bishop Oscar Florencio (CBCP NEWS / MANILA BULLETIN)

"Let DOH explain on this," Bishop Oscar Florencio, vice chairman of the CBCP-ECHC, said in an interview Friday.

The Military Ordinariate of the Philippines said the sudden surge in the number is very puzzling.

"Actually this is puzzling," he said.

"However if this is backed up by records and clear honest reporting why should we not believe it?" added Florencio.

"But if this is only meant to impress, then those responsible should be held accountable," he said.

Retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes also found the sudden increase in the recoveries as "unbelievable."

"This is for me an unbelievable self-contradicting report about the 38,000 recoveries because yesterday a record number 4,000 of new cases was announced!" he said.

"It is time for President Duterte to fire the incompetent (Francisco) Duque as Secretary of Health! He could be guilty of dishonesty by manipulating the large number of recoveries!" said Bastes.

The DOH on Thursday reported 3,954 new COVID-19 cases and 38,075 new recoveries which are both record highs.

A number of senators, however, questioned the increase in the recoveries as the previous record high was only around 5,000.

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