Health Secretary Francisco Duque III still has “solid support” among the staff of the Department of Health (DOH), an official of the embattled agency said on Tuesday, August 17.
DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega made the statement amid fresh calls for Duque to resign from his position after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the DOH in handling the P67.3 billion funds for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response.
“Yes, Secretary Duque has a solid support. Basically, he is a man of integrity and the President really relies on him.” said Vega in an interview on CNN Philippines.
During his public address on Monday night, August 16, President Duterte also defended Duque, saying that he did nothing wrong.
Duterte said that Duque has already attempted to resign twice.
“Alam ko gusto mo nang mag-resign, pero alam mo rin na tatanggihan kita ngayon (I know you want to resign, but you also know that I will reject that),” said Duterte.
“Noon, you have attempted to resign twice. I expect you to say something to me after this, mag-resign ka. Sabihin ko sa iyo, hindi. Wala ka namang ginawang masama (Before, you have attempted to resign twice. I expect you to say something to me after this, that you will resign. I will tell you, no. You have done nothing wrong),” he added.
Related story: ‘You did nothing wrong’: Duterte rejects Duque resignation anew