Senators question Duque credibility after ‘flip-flop’ on COVID ‘second wave’

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's remarks that the Philippines is experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 infections—and his subsequent apparent reversal—did not sit well with several senators on Thursday, with several casting doubt on his leadership amid the pandemic.

Duque earlier said that the Philippines was already on its second wave of infection. The DOH also said that the second wave peaked in March.

After this claim was met with skepticism, including from Malacañang and the Senate, the Health Secretary on Thursday clarified that the country is actually having its "first major wave of sustained transmission."

Senator Joel Villanueva said the Cabinet official's pronouncement "changes like the weather."

"His statements have become unreliable and incredible. I am worried about our handling of the pandemic if the person in charge is more confused than the rest of the country," he said in a message.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also reminded Duque to be more prudent on making pronouncements about the outbreak.

"The Secretary should get his facts right and his messaging straight as wrong information can put to a bad light all the efforts being done by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) and possibly sow confusion with the public," he said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, on the other hand, said the issue is more than Duque's messaging.

"More than his flip-flopping, the more important issue is the competence and integrity of Secretary Duque," he said.

Last month, several senators sought Duque's resignation, accusing him of failure of leadership in handling the pandemic.

The DOH chief, on the other hand, decided not to step down. Malacañang also said President Rodrigo Duterte wants Duque to stay put. — BM, GMA News