DoH chief’s brother named PCA chief
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2019 16:17:28 +0000
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed the brother of Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd as administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Gonzalo Duque took his oath as PCA chief before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday morning.
Prior to his appointment, Gonzalo was a commissioner of the Social Security System.
Gonzalo also served as Pangasinan’s vice governor from 1987 to 1992.
The PCA, which is under the Department of Agriculture, is in charge of developing the nation’s coconut industry.
The Duque brothers are facing graft and plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The complaint stemmed from Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s exposè that the Educational and Medical Development Corp. building being leased by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Dagupan City is owned by the Duque family.
Lacson said it was a clear case of conflict of interest.
As Health chief, Francisco sits as chairman of the PhilHealth Board.