Sinabi ni Health Secretary Francisco Duque III noong Lunes na hinikayat nito ang mga mambabatas na busisiin ang ex-officio designations ng kanyang posisyon dahil kasalukuyan itong nakaupo sa mahigit 60 committees at task force.

“I think it’s all by legislation. I would like to suggest our legislators to carefully look at all these ex-officio designations as this could affect the effectiveness of the Secretary of Health,” paliwanag ni Duque.

Paulit-ulit na ipinagtanggol ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si Duque mula sa mga kritiko, kung saan ilan sa mga ito ay mga senador, na ipinanawagan ang pagbibitiw ng kalihim dahil sa”failure of leadership” hinggil sa Covid-19 response ay kurapsyon sa PhilHealth.

“The President knows my track record…and I have spent a great deal of my life serving with integrity, competence and he understands where I’m coming from,” giit ni Duque.