Manila, Jan. 27 -- The chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) came under Senate scrutiny Tuesday as he defended ongoing reforms while lawmakers raised concerns over delayed approvals and the continued sale of counterfeit and unregulated health products, particularly online.

FDA Director General Paolo Teston told the Senate Committee on Health and Demography that he serves at the discretion of the President and is prepared to relinquish the post should a more qualified official be appointed.

This was after Senator Raffy Tulfo repeatedly asked him to resign.

"I serve at the pleasure of the people acting for the President... If there is someone better than me to head the agency, I'll gladly yield the post to that better person," ...