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Duque heeds calls, agrees to take first shot of vaccine from China
By Fernan Angeles APPALLED by nasty remarks on the government’s preference for Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, Health Secretary Francisco Duque agreed to take the first shot of it before the government starts administering vaccination to some 24 million Filipinos on the “priority list.” In an online press briefing, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said that aside from…
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Duque not yet off the hook in Philhealth mess, says DOJ
By Fernan Angeles HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque may have got himself out of the hook in the preliminary findings of the task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte himself. But Justice Secretary said that they are not yet clearing him and other board members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) of wrongdoing over corruption…
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Sotto believes Duterte will fire Duque anyway
By John Clifford Lintao CITING Senate investigation report on humongous pieces of evidence dragging Health Secretary Francisco Duque into the multi-billion anomalies, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto believes President Rodrigo Duterte would finally fire the embattled Cabinet member. Sotto said Duterte would change his mind about keeping Duque in his Cabinet once he finished reading…
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No command responsibility on my shoulder, says Duque
By John Clifford Lintao COMMAND responsibility over the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation doesn’t rest on him but to its president and CEO, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque over Senate calls for the filing of criminal charges against both of them over alleged anomalies at the state medical insurer. Duque, who chairs PhilHealth board, said…
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Duterte still trusts Duque
By Fernan Angeles FOR the second time, President Rodrigo Duterte warded off Senate’s recommendation to fire and file criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in relation to the alleged irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, instead suggested to the public to wait for whatever findings and recommendation…
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New emergency powers for Duterte proposed
By John Clifford Lintao CONGRESSMEN looking into the irregularities at PhilHealth are seriously considering the idea of filing a bill granting emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to address the issues hounding the state health insurer. “As agreed by the committee, we will be filing an Emergency Powers Act,” said House Committee on Public Accounts…
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Duque denies role in PhilHealth IRM mess
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday said it was “unfortunate” that the Senate recommended the filing of criminal charges against him, stressing that he had no say in the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM). The Senate Committee of the Whole earlier urged raps against Duque, chairman of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the…
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Imee implicates Duque in PhilHealth mess
By John Clifford Lintao THERE are pieces of evidence that would link Health Secretary Francisco Duque to alleged corruption schemes at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). “May sinasabi nga at narinig ko si Senator Ping Lacson na sabi naman ni Sir Ping na talagang wala pa raw ebidensya na nagli-link kay Sec. Duque sa…
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Gov’t to trace over 20,000 potential COVID-19 patients in Bulacan
By Fernan Angeles BULACAN province’s fate remains hanging as to whether their current community quarantine protocol should be downgraded to a relaxed category as Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday cited the urgency to track down over 20,000 “probable” individuals who had contact with others who were tested positive for COVID-19. Taking cue from…
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Duque stays mum on PhilHealth crisis
By Fernan Angeles HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque has remained mum over a public clamor wanting to see the entire Philippine Health Insurance Corporation executive board to go on leave. Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire confirmed that Duque has yet to take any position on the call for PhilHealth officials to consider going on “vacation” amid ongoing investigations…