Duterte looking for Duque’s replacement? Palace reacts

Malacañang on Monday maintained President Rodrigo Duterte’s authority to remove Cabinet officials following a report that the chief executive is looking for a replacement to embattled Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

“We all serve at the pleasure of the President. Kung nawalan po ng tiwala ang Presidente, anytime, any Cabinet member can be removed,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Roque, however, could not confirm a newspaper report that Duterte is scouting for a replacement to Duque, whose competence and credibility have been repeatedly questioned by several senators due to his handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Wala akong alam sa artikulo na ‘yan,” the Palace official said.

Duque faced criticism last week after claiming that the Philippines was already on its second wave of COVID-19 infections, considering the first three imported cases as the first wave. He later clarified that the country is still on the “first major wave of sustained community transmission.”

Some lawmakers have also raised allegations of overpriced equipment for COVID-19 testing and other medical supplies.

Last Friday, Roque said Duque would answer allegations in the proper forum “but for now let us allow him to do his job during this global health emergency.” — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News