“But mind you, Secretary Duque was not a part of PhilHealth. As a matter of fact, he was not even reporting. That’s why ‘yung Congress noong sabi nila i-suspend si — or oust si Duque, I said, “For what?” Kasi nauna na — nandito na — nauna kami, sa amin galing ‘yan eh. So binasa ko, ano — what ground would I base my decision? Would I just obey the cry of one million as against my assessment na si Duque walang nanakaw kung pera ang pag-usapan? Maybe some other things. He might be some other things but corruption no, pera wala.”
Ito ang sabi ni President Rodrigo Roa Duterte tungkol kay Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, na nadawit sa corruption sa Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Nirekomenda ng Senat Committee na ang health secretary ay sampahan ng kasong malversation at graft charges ng dahil sa release ng pondo ng PhilHealth. Kabila nito, inusig ng Senado si President Duterte na palitan si Duque at mag-appoint ng bagong secretary.