Health chief’s brother asked to head PCA

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed Gonzalo T. Duque, brother of Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, as administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), his spokesman said yesterday.

The new PCA chief served in the Social Security Commission where he represented the labor sector, presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement.

He also served as a vice-governor of Pangasinan from 1987 to 1992. He later became a director and later promoted to deputy administrator at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“With his credentials, we expect a man of competence and integrity in the likes of Mr. Duque to champion the cause of the Filipino coconut farmers,” Mr. Panelo said.

The Duque brothers are facing corruption complaints at the Ombudsman.

Mr. Gonzalo also served as chancellor, executive vice-president, chairman and fourth president at Lyceum Northwestern University for 17 years. — Arjay L. Balinbin