Kiko Pangilinan votes vs. Bayanihan 2 because Duque still DOH chief

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Tuesday voted against the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, saying he could not vote for more funds flowing into the Department of Health (DOH) without a change in leadership.

The opposition senator was the only one who voted against the measure as 22 of his colleagues voted yes.

"A review of the Bayanihan 2 that we just approved on third reading will show that of the first 26 interventions listed by the law in Section 3 as necessary to combat the pandemic, 13 or half of these needed interventions are placed on the shoulders of DOH," Pangilinan said to explain his vote.

"I'm afraid that under the mediocre leadership that has been displayed consistently since the pandemic hit us, none of these interventions will be met or achieved and billions of funds will be spent again without achieving the results necessary," he added.

In April, several senators called for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for alleged failure of leadership. However, the Cabinet official chose to stay.

President Rodrigo Duterte has since repeatedly affirmed that he trusts Duque. During the 5th State of the Nation Address, he also thanked the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, chaired by Duque, for its efforts.

Recently, an issue on supposed widespread corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) broke out. It is expected to be investigated by the Senate next week.

"For the sake of the nation's health and to prevent the total collapse of the economy, Duque has to go. The nation deserves better," Pangilinan said.

The Bayanihan Law 2 provides for the appropriation of a P140 billion standby fund to facilitate economic recovery—P10 billion of which shall be earmarked for efforts to ramp up COVID-19 testing and enhancement of health care services in the country. -NB, GMA News