Paolo Benjamin Guico of Ben&Ben (left) and DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III (Image: Twitter.com/@PaoloBenjamin_, INQUIRER/Marianne Bermudez)
Ben&Ben’s Paolo Benjamin Guico has called on Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign over his apparent failure in handling the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guico, one of the twin vocalists of the award-winning folk-pop band, took to Twitter yesterday, June 5, to share with fans his take on Duque’s leadership.
“Duque, please resign. Wag mong isisi ang iyong kapalpakan sa mga taong nagbubuwis-buhay para sa bayan (Do not blame your failure on people who are risking their lives for the nation). The country badly needs strong leadership in the DOH,” Guico stressed.
“After countless chances we’ve given you, it’s crystal clear with the numbers and facts: you have failed us. Please resign,” he added.
Duque, please resign. Wag mong isisi ang iyong kapalpakan sa mga taong nagbubuwis-buhay para sa bayan. The country badly needs strong leadership in the DOH.
After countless chances we've given you, it's crystal clear with the numbers and facts: you have failed us. Please resign.
— Paolo Benjamin (@PaoloBenjamin_) June 5, 2020
Guico also emphasized that the health chief cannot say that his leadership was not respected amid the pandemic.
“Binigyan ka ng lahat ng respeto dahil pinagkatiwalaan ka eh. [Sa] pag-lead ng DOH sa gitna ng COVID-19 crisis. [Pero] binigo mo yun. [Numbers] don’t lie. [Ngayon] kami naman ang bigyan mo ng respeto. [Respectfully] resign, sir,” he stressed.
(All of us respected you because we trusted you while leading the DOH during the COVID-19 crisis. But you failed us. Numbers don’t lie. Now, it is high time that you respect us as well. Respectfully resign, sir.)
Guico’s tweets came shortly after Duque expressed his disappointment over his subordinates during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte and Cabinet members yesterday.
Duque blamed his men for the delay in the release of financial assistance for the families of deceased health workers who died due to COVID-19. The health chief said, however, that he was assuming responsibility for the gaffe.
A netizen named Vladimir Costales has, meanwhile, questioned via Facebook Guico’s merits for having such opinion and sarcastically told the artist, “Pakisabi sa kanya siya na lang umupo mas matalino ata eh (please tell him to assume the position instead, he seems smarter.)
Guico then answered the netizen through Twitter earlier today, June 6, noting that he is a BS Industrial Engineering graduate with an internationally published thesis; a part of the Asian Institute of Management, Future Bridging Leaders Program; has helped to raise P4 million for COVID-19 relief efforts; and “sings songs with a band.”
After answering the question on what he has achieved, however, Guico noted that ultimately everyone is free to voice their opinions.
pero brodie, EVERYONE can be of service. EVERYONE should be able to speak freely.
— Paolo Benjamin (@PaoloBenjamin_) June 6, 2020
“[P]ero (But) brodie, EVERYONE can be of service. EVERYONE should be able to speak freely,” Guico stressed. /ra
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