(Eagle News)–Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday, Aug. 1, said, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is trying to secure a meeting with congressmen following the former Philippine National Police chief’s allegations of conflict of interest against the secretary’s family.
In a news forum in the Senate, Lacson said based on his information, for this Duque was talking to allies of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“Kakausapin niya ‘yung Visayan bloc, kakausapin niya ‘yung mga dating kaalyado, dahil ito ‘yung kaalyado niya rin dahil dati naman siyang miyembro ng Gabinete ni President Arroyo,” Lacson said.
Duque, who was appointed by Duterte as health secretary in 2017, was health secretary of Arroyo from 2005 to 2010.
According to Lacson, Duque has also attempted to meet with him after the secretary received information he would give a privilege speech on the conflict of interest allegations.
Lacson said he was now open to the meeting after he made the speech, where he said Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc, owned by Duque’s family, had cornered millions of pesos worth of government contracts for medical supplies.
Earlier, Lacson also said Educational and Medical Development Corporation, also owned by Duque’s family, had a contract with PhilHealth for the lease of a building in Dagupan until 2018.
Duque is ex-officio chair of PhilHealth.
Duque has denied the allegations, saying he has divested himself from the family firms. With a report from Meanne Corvera