In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* possible challenge vs Anti-Terror Bill before the Supreme Court [14:31]
* Sen. Drilon voted yes to anti-terror bill [7:04]
* blame game in COVID health workers’ P1M death benefits [29:53]
* Sec. Duque’s other obligations to health workers under Bayanihan Act [35:39]
* ‘removal’ of safeguard vs overpricing in Bayanihan 2 [44:33]
Many of us are starting to wonder what “amulet” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III has to deserve such a special treatment.
While I do not and cannot question the presidential prerogative to hire and fire his Cabinet secretaries and other political appointees not protected by the civil service law, it is kind of boring to see Sec. Duque pointing fingers at his subordinates and other people for his pattern of failures in running the DOH – and getting away with it each time.
Now, he even blames his inadequacies and neglect on those who have not received the compensation allowances, by claiming that some of them have two wives.
Goodness gracious! Mr. Secretary, they are no longer around to defend or explain themselves.
Considering that the economy is reeling from a prolonged lockdown which directly affects not only individual and family income but the country’s revenue collections as well, thus draining the coffers like an open faucet, it is wise for our policy makers to ease up the restrictions currently being imposed.
As long as physical distancing and other protocols are strictly observed and enforced by authorities, I support this latest plan to allow business activities to resume, even on a limited scale.
Having said that, I hope the finer details of the decision to ease the quarantine restrictions would be based on sound data, and not just that of the Department of Health, whose limitations in handling data may potentially lead to wrong decisions. After all, we all do want to stay alive even during a lockdown.
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* overpricing at DOH amid COVID-19 threat [0:19]
* DOH insiders provided information on irregularities [4:12]
* expose is meant to put DOH on notice [5:58]
* wrong decisions due to wrong data [11:12]
* IATF members dismayed with DOH performance [22:50]
* proposed tax on Netflix [25:48]
In an interview on ANC, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* second wave of COVID? [0:21]
* pattern of overpricing at DOH [3:05]
* day of reckoning vs those behind overpricing [7:46]
* need for extension of Bayanihan Act [12:17]
* fate of NCRPO chief Debold Sinas [13:21]
* ABS-CBN franchise issue [16:50]
At the hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole on the government’s response against COVID-19, Sen. Lacson questioned the seeming overprice in the purchase of equipment to address the pandemic.
In an interview on DZRH, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* post-ECQ scenarios [1:01]
* continued lack of testing, contact tracing [2:46]
* Senate teleconferencing due to COVID-19 [12:59]
* Pagcor allowing reopening of POGO [21:48]
* mensahe sa mga pasaway [28:21]
To Luisito ‘Cito’ Beltran: Please allow us to set the record straight on the misconceptions and insinuations in your column in The Philippine Star’s April 20 edition.
In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
* extension of ECQ/lockdown [0:19]
* need for discipline during ECQ [4:07]
* barangay officials’ problems [10:02]
* sayang ang National ID system [14:04]
* May 4 session resumption; options on legislative calendar [18:09]
* test period for DOH Sec Duque [22:40]
We trust DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, after his admission of shortcomings, will quickly follow up with proactive and positive actions to address the issues and concerns raised by his own people at the DOH, as well as government and private physicians and health workers, against his leadership. It is they who have brought most of these concerns to the attention of the senators who signed the resolution calling for his resignation.
For a start, his display of humility should begin in his own department and field offices. After all, actions speak much louder and clearer than words.
Having said that, we have our Senate rules to follow. After referral, Senate Resolution 362 will trigger an inquiry by the appropriate committee/s, or a Committee of the Whole, whatever will be agreed upon by the majority members of the Senate. That is the proper forum where he, along with other resource persons to be invited, can shed light on the issues contained in Senate Resolution 362.
It is our hope that at the end of the day, the public will be enlightened after witnessing for themselves the open discussion of the issues at hand.
