I will stand by Duque even if it brings me down — Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte said that even if it brings him down, he will stand by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who is in the middle backlash over the “deficiencies” flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) in the Department of Health’s (DOH) handling of P67.3 billion for its COVID-19 response.
“Ako maski buong Pilipinas plus kayo, ako minus, mag-isa ako, I can go down but with my values and principles intact. Prinsipyo yan e. Wala si Duque, he’s not even a campaigner. He was not even there during the elections na sumasama. But fairness is kailangan,” Duterte said in a taped speech aired Saturday morning.
“I’m sorry but I said, maski mag-isa na lang ako, I will stand for Duque even if it will bring me down,” he added.
The President said he does not care whether or not it will bring his ratings down since the end of his term is nearing anyway.
“Sabi pagkatapos nito, hindi na popular si Duterte, yung rating rating niya. Look, tapos na ako. The rating does not really matter to me. Ang gusto ko lang magtrabaho nang matino and whatever judgment you give to me, I don’t give a shit,” said Duterte.
Article continues after this advertisement“Maski ang mag-isa na lang at lahat gusto na kalaban ninyo si Duque, tatayo ako para sa kanya. Sabihin niyo ang rating ko magbaba? Ibaba niyo ngayon wala akong problema,” he went on.
Article continues after this advertisement“They want me to fire Duque, gusto mo paalisin ko. Give me a reason bakit ko paalisin,” Duterte said.
“Eh kinuha ko yung tao, nakiusap [ako] e. Hindi naman yan nag apply. Hindi naman nakiusap na ‘kunin mo ako.’ Ako ang kumuha. Kung ano ang pagkamali niya, sa akin yan. You want to oust him, for what? Ano ba ang ginawa niyang kasalanan?”
Duterte has repeatedly defended Duque despite calls for him to resign over numerous controversies, including the alleged irregularities involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
