PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte continues to trust Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III amid a palace investigation of alleged conflict of interest involving a company owned by his family, according to the president’s spokesman.

“The president still trusts Health Secretary Duque,” Mr. Panelo told reporters at the presidential palace on Tuesday, adding that he had responded to questions on issues of propriety.

Until evidence is presented proving that he has violated he law, Mr. Duque will have the president’s trust and confidence, he said.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson has said that Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company allegedly owned by Mr. Duque’s family, had won contracts from the government.

Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go, who heads the health committee, has said he would consider probing Mr. Duque.

Mr. Panelo said the Health chief had responded to the allegations and “as far as he is concerned, there is no conflict of interest.” One of the contracts was won before he became a Cabinet member and he had divested his interests, he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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