Sotto, Pangilinan exasperated over Duque’s deafness to resignation calls

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III remains deaf to calls for him to step down from his post despite allegations hounding the Department of Health in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday.

"I'm tired of giving comments regarding Sec. Duque because it merely falls into deaf ears," Sotto said in a message when asked if he thinks the Cabinet official's resignation is necessary to give way to an impartial Ombudsman's probe on alleged irregularities in DOH's response to COVID-19.

"It's his call. He should save the President from any predicament or responsibility in his tenure," he added.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan also said he sees the need for Duque to resign.

"Si Duque ang matagal ng pinagre-resign dahil sa palpak at makupad na kilos ng administrasyong Duterte laban sa COVID pero 'yung nagkumpirma ng palpak, makupad at hilong talilong na kilos ng gobyerno ang pinag-resign," Pangilinan said in a Facebook post.

"Hangga't kinukunsinti ang kapalpakan at katiwalian, ano kaya ang maasahan mula sa mga namumuno sa usapin ng epektibong kampanya laban sa COVID?" he added.

Even pro-administration Senator Ranald "Bato" dela Rosa said he has had enough of urging Duque to step down.

"Ayaw ko nang manawagan dahil ayaw man din niyang pagbigyan. Ayaw ko nang ma-snubbed again," he said in a message.

Dr. Tony Leachon, former adviser for the National Task Force Against COVID-19, claimed that Duque and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque were behind his recent removal from post—an allegation denied by Roque.

On the other hand, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH sees no need for Duque to resign or take a leave of absence amid the Ombudsman's investigation.

"Napakaimportante ho ng isang leader sa isang organisasyon. Kahit po nakaupo lang siya diyan pero kung siya ay nirerespeto at siya ay nakakapagbigay ng kumpiyansa para sa mga tauhan niya, sa tingin ko po kaya gumagaling ang mga tao sa ilalim niya," Vergeire said.

"We have our full support to the Secretary and we still think that he should be retained dito sa kaniyang posisyon," she added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian earlier urged Duque to at least take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing.

But Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte is confident Duque can answer the allegations against him before the Ombudsman.

Last April, several senators sought Duque's resignation over alleged failure of leadership in handling the health crisis.

Duque, however, maintained that he serves at the pleasure of President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacanang, during that time, said Duterte wants Duque to "stay put." — RSJ, GMA News