President Rodrigo Duterte decided to retain Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on his cabinet, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Thursday.
Duterte rejected the call of some senators for Duque to step down due to “failure of leadership” on handling the response against the coronavirus pandemic, ABS-CBN News reported.
“The President has made a decision for Health Secretary Duque to stay put,” Medialdea said.
Medialdea said Duterte appreciated the senators’ gesture for giving him the opportunity to weigh his options on the performance of the health chief.
“Secretary Duque was made aware of the sentiments of the senators and the President expects him to work even harder to set aside any doubts on his capacity and sincerity to serve the public during these difficult times,” he said.
At least 15 senators have signed a resolution seeking Duque’s resignation for his “failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency in performance”, which led to “poor planning, delayed, response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies and measures” against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Duque said he respects the senators’ position although he admitted he was really hurt.
“I serve at the pleasure of the President and for as long as he continues to put his trust and confidence in my capabilities,” he said during a virtual press briefing.
The health chief added that he would continue to put forward a “very effective response” against the pandemic.
READ MORE: Senators call for resignation of Health Secretary Duque
