This may very well be the best cliché that would describe incoming health secretary Dr. Francisco T. Duque III. After all, he would soon put on the same hat his father once wore as chief of the Department of Health (DoH) under the administration of the late president Diosdado Macapagal.

It has earlier been said that he ‘would make history’ the moment he takes on the reins of DoH. History will "repeat" itself as Duque becomes the health secretary of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 1.

As secretary of health of President Macapagal, the elder Duque, also a doctor, conceived of a medicare program for Filipinos which could be said as the forerunner of the Medicare and what is now known today as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Clearly, it is not a coincidence for father and son to make public health their business. It probably runs in the blood, too.

But critics say that the appointment of the youthful Duque was a mere "payment of the president’s political debt."

Duque helped boost the image of Mrs. Arroyo in the presidential elections last year by giving out sponsored PhilHealth cards to indigents during the campaign which is in keeping with the mandate of Congress through the PhilHealth Law (Republic Act 7875) which provides that all Filipinos should be covered by PhilHealth within 15 years since its creation in 1995 which is up to 2010.

But Duque is poised to prove his detractors wrong. "At the end of the day, they should also see whether the person appointed has the qualifications for the job," he said. "My appointment only proves that the president trusts me," said Duque, whose training includes those from Harvard University, Georgetown University and the pontifical university, the University of Sto. Tomas.

From 1999-2000, Duque was director of PhilHealth and permanent representative to the PhilHealth board of then vice-president and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Next, he became an undersecretary of the DoH in March 2 to June 17, 2001 before moving up the ladder and becoming President and CEO of Philhealth in June 18 of the same year. Last October, in recognition of his accomplishments, the president appointed him as a member of the cabinet with the rank of secretary.

This is the reason why Duque calls it a ‘lateral transfer’ not as a promotion when he takes his oath as the next health secretary.

Under his helm, Philhealth’s membership soared to an all-time high of 69.5 million million Filipinos or about 84 percent of the country’s population and said to be larger than the membership base of two other government security agencies, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) all of whose members are actually members also of Philhealth. When Duque took over in 2001, Philhealth had only 29 million members. "This represents an increase of about 140 percent," he said. "Of the 69.5 million members, 31.3 million are indigent and poor Filipinos whose membership were sponsored by the national government, local governments and members of Congress."

In 2002, he initiated the Plan 500/GMA indigent program of Philhealth which enrolled 500,000 urban poor beneficiaries into the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) for one year. Philhealth records show that he has successfully exceeded his target beneficiaries by 500 percent with the enrollment of another 2.5 million urban indigent beneficiaries and two million rural poor beneficiaries.

By 2003, indigent enrollment has reached a total of eight million individuals. "Of the 69.5 million members, 31.3 million are indigent and poor Filipinos, including the dependents, whose membership were sponsored by the national government, local governments and members of Congress," he said.

The president dubbed Philhealth as one of the "most effective poverty alleviation programs" of the government in her state of the nation address last year.

She also said that Philhealth is the ‘number one showcase of her administration’ in terms of social development and poverty alleviation agenda.

It would not be a surprise if Duque plans to expand Philhealth coverage once he takes on his seat. He has earlier verbalized his desire to institute reforms on the country’s health system starting with the improvement of the delivery of health services in both public and private hospitals nationwide. This would entail the improvement of facilities and equipment of the hospital through the intercession of Philhealth which he will continue to oversee as the chairman of its Board of Directors. Second, he said he would strengthen the implementation of public health programs and third, he would look into regulatory offices under the DoH such as the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) especially on its role in promoting and distributing cheaper medicines.

Almost two weeks ago, outgoing health secretary Manuel Dayrit announced his resignation publicly ending one year of speculations indicating that his position would be given away as payment of a ‘political debt.’ But Dayrit has emphasized several times that he has planned his resignation since last year and that he leaves government service ‘with only good memories and no feelings of discord.’

Early this week, Dayrit called on all health workers to support his successor and maintain the same quality of work that they have delivered before.

Dayrit was previously lauded by Asian neighbors and other international communities for his efforts in preventing the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the country. He also worked passionately during last year’s Ligtas Tigdas campaign which has covered a total of 94 percent of nine to 59 months old children in the country. He was instrumental in bringing in low-priced drugs in DoH accredited pharmacies and initiated the controversial ‘Ligtas Buntis’ program on safe motherhood and responsible parenthood.

Duque’s critics are closely watching whether or not he can come at par with Dayrit’s achievements. "You’ll never know what it’s like in the job, until you’re in the job," Dayrit said earlier.

But Duque takes it all amiably and has acknowledged the importance of his detractors and their views. "I ask them to look at my performance and if I have faults I welcome their advice and suggestions," he said.

As for the controversial family planning program, he said he would hold consultations with various sectors to discuss their views and opinions on the matter.

In less than two weeks, Duque will assume his office as commander of the country’s public health system. Only then can he prove his worth and dismiss his critics. As he prepares for his new role, DoH also gears up for a new leader.

But if he were alive, the older Duque could have said "Welcome home, son."

Birthdate: February 13, 1957

Parents: Father: Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Jr., Secretary of Health 1961 to 1963, Philippine Medical Association President, 1957 and Founder and president of Lyceum-Northwestern, 1969.

Mother: Florencia Tiongson-Duque President and co-founder of Lyceum-Northwestern, 1969 and President and chairman of the board, University of Pangasinan, 1989.

Wife: Carolina Ablaza-Duque diplomate and fellow of Philippine Dermatological Society.

Children: Pamela, Patricia, Philippa, Pia and Phoebe.

Education: Doctor of Medicine, 1982, University of Sto. Tomas

Immunology Scientific training, 1985 to 1988, Department of Microbiology, Section of Immunology, Georgetown University,

Master of Science in Pathology, 1987, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.,

Post-graduate course on executive education on health program management, 1992, Harvard University School of Public health and graduate school of management, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.