Duterte no plan to ask Duque to go on leave while probe vs him ongoing

July 31, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte has no plan to ask Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to go on leave despite an investigation against him, Malacanang said on Tuesday.

In an interview by radio station dzRH, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said while a person is being investigated, there is still a presumption of innocence.

"While there is no result yet (on the investigation), the presumption of innocence under the Constitution applies to every person being accused of wrongdoing," he said.

Asked if Duterte has plans to ask Duque to go on leave while the probe is ongoing, he said, "There's none."

Senator Panfilo Lacon has accused Duque of conflict of interest as the DOH allegedly entered into questionable medical supply contracts with the Duque family-owned Doctors Pharmaceutical Inc.

Lacson also called for a Senate investigation into alleged huge losses of the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp., an agency under the DOH. 

Panelo earlier said Duterte still has trust and confidence with Duque. 

Duterte's treatment on Duque, however, apparently ran counter with his earlier pronouncement that with just a whiff of corruption, he would remove officials from their post. Celerina Monte/DMS