By Camille A. Aguinaldo

THE COMMISSION on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Francisco T. Duque III as Secretary of the Department of Health (DoH).

Sought for comment, Mr. Duque said he hoped the CA’s approval of his appointment would raise the morale of the DoH, which is being hounded by criticisms over its suspended anti-dengue immunization program.

“It’s a big relief and hopefully this will be a boost to the entire department. I dedicate and share the confirmation to everyone in the Department of Health. And we need something like this, like a shot in the arm, so to speak. Nothing like Dengvaxia, of course,” he told reporters.

Mr. Duque, who headed the DoH during the Arroyo presidency, faced the CA on two confirmation hearings before being confirmed by the panel on Wednesday. He was repeatedly questioned by members of the CA regarding measures the DoH has undertaken to address the concerns over the Dengvaxia controversy.

At the second confirmation hearing early Wednesday, Mr. Duque turned emotional as he was being questioned by Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel on how he planned to raise the morale of DoH amid the anti-dengue controversy hounding the agency.

“DoH is fighting too many battles (on) too many fronts. It’s a struggle to do your job when there are too many things to be done and almost paralyzing,” he said in an interview with reporters.

“It’s the difficulty in implementing, doing your job in the midst of all these issues and public criticisms from different quarters. It’s difficult. It’s not an easy job,” he added.

Senators and congressmen comprising the CA also quizzed Mr. Duque on the DoH’s implementation of other health programs, such as the Reproductive Health Act and the Cheaper Medicines Act, as well as the reported net income loss of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

At the CA’s plenary session, senators expressed confidence over Mr. Duque’s capability to handle the Health department, especially on addressing the Dengvaxia controversy.

“We are confident that with his integrity, sense of purpose and exemplary stewardship in his previous and current positions, Dr. Duque is adequately equipped, mentally, physically and spiritually for our people’s sake to help the department,” said Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II, chairperson of the CA committee on health. President Rodrigo R. Duterte has brought back Mr. Duque to his old post last October 2017 following the CA’s rejection of Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial as DoH chief.

Mr. Duque assumed his post at the DoH a month before French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur released an analysis that the Dengvaxia vaccine may pose health risks for those vaccinated without having dengue.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR