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Duque to follow Duterte's memo, will skip Thursday's Senate hearing

Philippines | National

Duque to follow Duterte's memo, will skip Thursday's Senate hearing

By Analou de Vera

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (Malacañang photo)

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said he will not attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 funds--- which is scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 4.

Duque said that Malacanang advised him to continue obeying the memorandum issued by President Duterte that is barring Cabinet officials from attending the Senate's ongoing investigation.

“Ang paalala sa akin is (I was reminded that) we have to abide by the memorandum order. So that is what we did and we followed that memorandum order,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

“I’m not (attending) unless there’s a reversal or a decision on the memorandum order. But mind you, I attended 100 percent of all the Senate blue (ribbon) hearings (before the order was issued),” he added.

Duque said that even a representative from the DOH will not be able to participate in Thursday's Senate hearing.

“Not even. Because the memorandum order covers all employees and officials,” he said.

Duque earlier expressed readiness to continue attending the ongoing investigation of the Senate to shed light on the matter and to "remove doubts.

The Senate is set to hold its 14th hearing into the government's handling of funds for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Related story:
Duque ready to face succeeding Senate hearings on COVID-19 fund use

Related Tags

Senate hearing covid-19 Department of Health (DOH)

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