Two Cabinet members have earned praises anew from President Duterte for their integrity and competence.
(ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a meeting on the government's typhoon response Monday, the President has voiced his confidence in Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, saying he cannot find a reason to suspend him.
The President also described Public Highways Secretary Mark Villar as "an honest man," adding that he needs his expertise in the Cabinet.
Both Duque and Villar were present in the meeting with the President, other Cabinet members and government officials at the Malago clubhouse in Malacañang Park to discuss disaster response and relief efforts Monday.
The President first commended Duque after the latter delivered his report on the Department of Health's efforts to address the needs of the communities hit by typhoon Rolly.
"Thank you, Secretary Duque. It was a good report. Ang nahalata ko dito sa panahon mo is the surveillance and the vigilance in keeping track of possible outbreaks, I like that, and you have been doing it," Duterte said.
"That’s why I cannot find any plausible or even a meager argument for your --- for your suspension. Wala akong nakitang ano --- ang trabaho mo maganda (I cannot see... your work is good). The surveillance that you are doing and the vigilance sa public health is amply protected," he said.
Some lawmakers earlier called for the removal and prosecution of Duque over the alleged irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The President, however, has rejected calls for Duque's dismissal, saying he has not stolen public funds.
In the same meeting, the President said he has no question about the integrity of Villar.
"Not only that he is honest, he has money. Siya ang --- may pera siya (He has money) and I do not question his integrity or loyalty," Duterte said about the DPWH secretary.
"If not, bakit nandito pa nga siya sa Cabinet? Meaning to say that kailangan ko siya (If not, why is he still in the Cabinet? Meaning to say, I need him). I need his expertise, his talent," he said.
The President earlier directed the Department of Justice to conduct allegations of corruption in the entire government and prosecute those involved. Frustrated with the rampant corruption in the bureaucracy, Duterte told the DOJ to expand its corruption probe on PhilHealth to cover the Department of Public Works and Highways and other state agencies.
Duterte, in his remarks Monday, lamented that corruption in government has persisted regardless of the sitting administration. He noted that long before his Cabinet members were appointed, corruption has already been prevalent in some agencies.
He warned anew that those implicated in corruption in PhilHealth and other government offices would be held liable. He noted that several PhilHealth officials have already been placed on preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman pending a probe.
"They are being investigated and if there's enough evidence, they will be prosecuted in court. And eventually they will land in jail. And that could be a problem not only for the family and everybody," he said.