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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Lacson praises Duterte for countermanding Duque on procurement of rapid test kits

Lacson praises Duterte for countermanding Duque on procurement of rapid test kits

Published Apr 14, 2020 12:00 am
By Mario B Casayuran Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday President Duterte showed the kind of executive action that the country needs when he countermanded his own Department of Health (DOH) secretary on the issue of the purchase by government of rapid test kits for the COVID-19 virus. Senator Panfilo M. Lacson (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Senator Panfilo M. Lacson (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) ‘’The President unequivocally countermanding his own DOH secretary when the situation clearly calls for the immediate government purchase and use of rapid antibody test kits is the kind of executive action that we need,’’ he said. ‘’Thank you, Mr. President!’’ he added. President Duterte ordered Monday night the purchase of rapid test kits in a bid to increase the Philippines' testing capacity for the coronavirus, despite the lack of DOH guidelines on the use of the kits. Duterte said he was clearing the way for concerned agencies to procure the rapid test kits "immediately." The President said he would ask Health Secretary Francisco Duque to talk to the people in charge so that they could proceed to buy them immediately. He was referring to Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. "You can go ahead and buy it immediately, you have my clearance," he added.
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