Manila: Two additional House leaders have come forward to defend Executive Secretary Ralph Recto against calls for his resignation by Tony Leachon, who describes himself as a 'public health expert.'
According to Philippines News Agency, Deputy Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur criticized Leachon, suggesting that he should focus on his medical practice rather than involve himself in political matters. "Parang sirang plaka itong si Leachon. Tumutok na lang sya sa pasyente nya kaysa makisawsaw at manawagan ng resignation ni ES Recto (Leachon is like a broken record. He should just focus on his patients rather than meddle and call for the resignation of ES Recto)," Adiong stated.
In a separate statement, Manila Representative Joel Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also urged Leachon to stick to medical issues and avoid delving into economic matters. "Si Dr. Leachon ay hindi economista. Kaya mas maigi na siya ay mag focus sa profession kung saan nya sinasabi na siya'y may alam. Hayaan ang usaping ekonomiya sa mga economista (Dr. Leachon is not an economist. So, it would be better for him to focus on his profession where he says he's an expert. Leave economic issues to economists)," Chua remarked.
Leachon has taken to social media to call for Recto's resignation, citing alleged issues such as the 'defunding' of PhilHealth, the failure to reduce excise taxes on diesel and gasoline, and Recto's involvement in the EVAT law as reasons for his demand.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo accused Leachon of lacking formal education in public health. "Hindi naman yan nakapag-aral ng public health, masteral nor doctorate. Siya lang naglagay ng claim na yan (He did not study public health, masteral nor doctorate. He's the only one who made that claim)," Garin claimed.
Garin, who is a former health secretary, also challenged Leachon to inform the public that the Dengvaxia complaints against her were dismissed due to his weak testimony. "Bakit hindi nya sabihin sa publiko na kaya dismissed yung mga kaso sa RTC dahil sya lang naman ang 'expert witness' kung saan sinabi niyang (Why doesn't he tell the public that the case at the regional trial court was dismissed because he was the 'expert witness' wherein he said that) 'we soaked the bodies in water' when asked how an autopsy is conducted," she added.
Garin further criticized Leachon for claiming to be "God's gift to mankind" and described the dismissal of the case as a result of "fake autopsies and fake expert" testimony. She previously stated that Leachon's call for Recto's resignation was misplaced and disconnected from the complex task of balancing taxes, health spending, and providing relief for impoverished Filipinos.
