(Eagle News)–Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has denied the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine director was replaced.
In an interview over radio dzbb on Monday, March 23, Duque said the department order circulating online had been corrected as Assistant Secretary Ernesto Santiago had only been designated RITM’s overseer on the accredited testing facilities.
“Dahil manipis din ang tao natin sa RITM, kailangan din natin ng makakatulong kay director Celia Carlos,” he said.
Duque issued the statement when asked about circulating online reports Carlos had been replaced for refusing to give politicians VIP treatment in the testing for coronavirus disease 2019.
The Philippines has limited COVID-19 test kits, the DOH has admitted, which could mean the number of those infected could be higher.
It has rejected the idea of a mass testing due to the limited number of kits.
The Philippines has so far confirmed over 300 COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths.
