MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed the brother of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), INQUIRER.net has learned.

Gonzalo Duque took his oath as PCA chief before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday morning.

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In a text message to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed Gonzalo’s appointment.

In a subsequent statement, Panelo said the Palace welcomes the appointment of Gonzalo.

Francisco and Gonzalo are both facing graft and plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The health secretary is being accused of committing plunder for allowing the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) office in Pangasinan to rent a property belonging to his family. The Department of Health chief was then PhilHealth’s ex-officio chair as secretary of the health agency.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier revealed the business transaction of Duque’s family with PhilHealth, which the legislator noted was a conflict of interest.

READ: Duque owns building rented by PhilHealth office in Pangasinan – Lacson

Gonzalo, meanwhile, served as Pangasinan vice governor from 1987 to 1992.

Panelo said, “Duque’s professional career has been devoted to public service.”

He added Gonzalo also served in the Social Security Commission (SSC), where he represented the labor sector.

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Panelo also said Gonzalo was likewise designated as director, and later promoted to deputy administrator, at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“Aside from working in both the national and local levels of the government,” Panelo said, “Gonzalo was active in the academe as he has served the Lyceum Northwestern University for 17 years as Chancellor, Executive Vice President, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and fourth President.”

“With his credentials, we expect a man of competence and integrity in the likes of Mr. Duque to champion the cause of the Filipino coconut farmers,” he added.

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