Bong Go on call for Duque's resignation: Not right time to change 'captain' in COVID-19 'war'

Senator Bong Go on Sunday said he did not sign the Senate resolution calling for the immediate resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III because it is not the right time to replace the "captain" in the "war" against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Go said that while the Department of Health (DOH) has its own shortcomings, it is difficult to change the captain of the battle in the middle of the COVID-19 war.

"Mahirap magpalit ng kapitan sa gitna ng digmaan. Marahil maraming pagkukulang si Sec. Duque, at inamin naman niya, humingi siya ng sorry. DOH cannot do it alone," he said.

"May pagkukulang ang DOH at inamin nila 'yun. Pero hindi ito ang panahon para magpalitan tayo ng kapitan," he added.

A total of 14 senators, including close allies of the President, signed P.S. Resolution No. 362 stating that Duque must step down "for his failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight, and inefficiency in the performance of his mandate," as the Philippines continues to grapple with the contagion. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto's name was also on the resolution but his signature was not affixed. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Recto was also a co-author.

Duque's shortcomings resulted in "poor planning, delayed response, lack of transparency, and misguided and flip-flopping policies" for COVID-19, according to the lawmakers.

Detained Senator Leila de Lima agreed with her fellow senators and likewise called for Duque's resignation. However, De Lima blamed President Rodrigo Duterte and said the primary responsibility for the failure of leadership and gross neglect of duties in the government's COVID-19 response rests on him.

The Health secretary on Thursday said no country in the world anticipated COVID-19. He also admitted his imperfections and said he was fighting against an unknown enemy. Duque called for cooperation amid the pandemic.

Malacañang already said that Duque will remain in his position despite the call of the senators.

Go asked that the decision of the President in this case be respected.

He also said that as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he may also choose to conduct an investigation into the shortcomings of the DOH, but not right now.

"May panahon na mag-imbestiga bilang committee chair ng Health. Binabantayan natin lahat ng pagkakamali nila tulad ng hindi pagtanggap ng mga ospital. Handa ako magsalita," he said.

"May day of reckoning tayo. Imbestigahan natin pagdating ng panahon. Pero ngayon, mahirap magpalit," he added.

Go said Duque and the rest of department heads should instead see the Senate resolution as an "eye-opener" for them to do better in their jobs.

"Eye-opener ito sa lahat. Better shape up dahil buhay ng bawat Pilipino ang nakataya," he said.

"Pero hindi talaga kaya ng DOH alone kung pababayaan natin sila at hindi natin sila tutulungan," he added.

The DOH on Saturday said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 6,087. The death toll was 397 while the number of recoveries totaled 516. —KG, GMA News