Duterte set to bar Cabinet men from Senate probe on pandemic purchase deals
FILE PHOTO: Senator Richard Gordon and President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he will formally bar Cabinet members from attending the Senate inquiry into the government’s purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic so that they could focus on the pandemic response.
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In his latest public address, Duterte said he has ordered Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to prepare the proper issuance for barring Cabinet officials from attending the Senate investigation.
“I will issue a memorandum na lahat ng nasa Executive Department will no longer obey your summons,” he said.
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He made the statement after he criticized Senator Richard Gordon’s“undemocratic” remark that he will continue the Senate inquiry “until kingdom come.”
Duterte said he wants the Cabinet officials to focus on the pandemic response, instead of being summoned every now and then to attend the Senate inquiry.
“I want Cabinet members to focus on COVID-19. It is a pandemic and it has spread throughout the country. Malaki pa ang trabaho natin,” he said.