(Eagle News) – The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III today (Wednesday) February 7, hurdling opposition from former critics.
Not one member of the powerful CA objected to Duque’s confirmation.
Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan endorsed Duque’s confirmation before the plenary on Wednesday, assuring everyone that Duque has the capability and integrity to protect and ensure public health, especially with the current extreme concern caused by the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.
Before this, Duque became emotional when he faced the CA for the second time on Wednesday.
He had been previously grilled on the Dengvaxia mess, the measles outbreak in Davao City and alleged corruption within Philhealth, the state health insurance firm which he once headed.
-Duque recalls DOH’s glory days-
“I said, ‘What happened?’ Now that we have so much budget. I think we have to recapture the glorious days of the DOH (Department of Health) back then,” said Duque who had served as DOH chief under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“We hope to be able to motivate, to inspire,” Duque said while trying to holding back tears.
Duque had also served as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission in 2010, and as former president and director of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in 2001 and 1999.
He had earlier admitted that the DOH’s use of the Dengvaxia vaccine by Sanofi Pasteur had “tainted the credibility” of the department’s immunization programs.
It was the DOH under former Health Secretary Garin during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III that implemented the mass vaccination program using Dengvaxia even though the clinical trial for the vaccine had not yet been completed.
Duque, when he assumed office recently, directed a stop to the use of the controversial dengue vaccine. This was following the admission by Sanofi itself that use of Dengvaxia for those who have not had prior dengue infection could lead to a more severe type of dengue.
A special DOH expert panel is currently investigating alleged deaths due to the Dengvaxia vaccine.
-Sanofi refund-
Duque had asked Sanofi to refund more than ₱3.5 billion worth of vaccines, a request that the French pharmaceutical company had “respectfully” turned down.
Sanofi only refunded unused Dengvaxia vaccines worth P1.16 billion.
Duque recalled the “glory days” of the DOH under his time when the department’s immunization programs were highly trusted by the public.
“During my time, in 2005 to 2010 your honor, when our budget was like a measly ₱10, ₱11 billion, we had much better immunization coverage, we enjoyed consistent public trust and satisfaction ratings, availment and public awareness of our programs,” Duque said.
-Duque’s high credibility cited-
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, who serves as the Senate health committee chairman, stressed that no other person could better lead the DOH than Duque.
“I cannot think of any other person to head the department right now, with your high credibility,” Ejercito said.
Three people had tried to oppose Duque’s confirmation before. They are Dr. Nestor Dizon Jr; Anti-Trapo Movement of the Philippines chairperson Leon Peralta; and Dr David Harold Gosiengfiao.
It was only Gosiengfiao, however, who attended Wednesay’s hearing questioning the policy on cataracts of Philhealth when Duque was still its chair.
Dizon and Peralta were present during the previous January 31 hearing.
Duque replaced former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial whose appointment had been repeatedly questioned and eventually rejected by the powerful CA. (with a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)