Duque back as health chief

MANILA, Philippines — Former health secretary Francisco Duque III is back at the helm of the Department of Health (DOH) after President Duterte signed his appointment yesterday.

Duque held the DOH portfolio from June 2005 to January 2010 under the administration of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He fills the position vacated by former secretary Paulyn Ubial, whose designation was rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

DOH employees welcomed his return, with acting health secretary Herminigildo Valle saying, “Duque is well capable and experienced to take on the job as health chief.”

“The DOH is ready to move forward under his able leadership,” Valle said in reaction to Duque’s designation as interim secretary of health.     

Upon learning of Duque’s appointment, Valle announced it to all DOH hospitals chiefs and regional heads attending the 4th national staff meeting in Iloilo.

Valle said he was happy to serve as interim officer-in-charge of DOH.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito expects the CA, which is composed of 12 lawmakers each from the Senate and the House of Representatives, to confirm Duque’s designation.

“Secretary Duque is a decent person with high integrity and credibility. I don’t think he will have a hard time with the CA,” Ejercito told reporters.

Duque is also the current chairman of the Government Insurance Service System (GSIS) board and former chairman of the Civil Service Commission during the time of then president Benigno Aquino III.

He finished both his undergraduate and graduate courses in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and his masters in pathology at Georgetown University in the US in 1987. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero