Duque confirmed as Health secretary

MANILA -- The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, February 7, confirmed the appointment of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III amid the controversy over the anti-dengue vaccination program.

Malacañang hailed the development.

"Congratulations to Secretary Duque. His confirmation is a proof that he is qualified to be a Health Secretary," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told Palace reporters in a phone patch interview.

Duque became emotional when he faced the commission earlier Wednesday, as his agency is currently besieged by the controversial P3.5-billion immunization program.

Over 830,000 school children have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia, the first approved anti-dengue vaccine in the world, since the anti-dengue drive was launched during the Aquino administration.

The vaccination program was stopped in December 2017, following the revelation of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur that the vaccine may potentially cause severe dengue among those who have not contracted the virus prior to immunization. Roque said Palace was optimistic that Duque, as Department of Health secretary, would be able to resolve the issues hurled against the agency.

"Malacañang is confident that with Secretary Duque at the helm of the DOH, all problems, especially the Dengvaxia issue, will be addressed through right solutions," he said.