CA defers action on DOH chief Duque
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday once again faced members of powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) who will decide whether or not to confirm his appointment to the Department of Health (DOH).
Duque, who had served as DOH chief under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was appointed by President Duterte after then Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial failed to get the nod of the CA last year.
The CA, however, decided to defer its decision on Duque’s appointment, as the 25-member appointments body supposedly opted to take things slow this time, said Senator Gregorio Honasan, chairperson of CA Committee on Health.
“There are still issues that have to be pursued and studied... The Department of Health and the Secretary has tremendous manpower and other resources in its discretion and disposal. It is a huge responsibility that’s why the Commission is thinking to deliberate slowly,” Honasan told reporters after the confimation hearing Wednesday noon.
A doctor and a member of an anticorruption group opposed Duque’s confirmation before the CA.
Dr. Nestor Dizon of the Quezon City Health Department complained of Duque’s alleged inaction on the “misapplication” of his contract of service, which he brought to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) under the latter’s chairmanship.
Duque led the CSC after his stint in the DOH in 2010.
Leon Peralta, chairman of the AntiTrapo Movement, meanwhile pointed out Duque’s alleged involvement in anomalies, such as plunder and malversation of public funds for transferring the funds of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during his term in the agency. Duque denied both claims. On Dizon’s complaint, he said he had no hand over CSC’s disposition on his case, saying it was the CSC en banc handilng it.
He, on the other hand, said he is willing to assist the doctor with his concerns.
Responding to Peralta, Duque said the Ombudsman had dismissed the plunder charges against him for lack of evidence.
This, he added, was affirmed by the Supreme Court.