By Itchie G. Cabayan
Health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon welcomed the move of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to appoint Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Secretary of Health and Dr. Beverly Ho as PhilHealth President and CEO.
It will be recalled that former Health Secretary Dr. Jose Brittanio “Brix” Pujalte has stepped down, citing health reasons, after less than a month in office.
Leachon notes that Pujalte’s brief tenure was marked by controversy, including procurement issues and gambling allegations now left to the Ombudsman.
“Both Mercado and Ho are competent, humble and capable leaders who bring experience and integrity to institutions that urgently need reform. But they must work harder and faster. With less than two years remaining in the Marcos administration—and after years of chronic defunding and diversion of health funds struck down by the Supreme Court—the window for meaningful change is narrow,” said Leachon, saying he welcomes their appointments.
According to Leachon,the priorities ahead remain clear and pressing: secure PhilHealth’s P370 billion budget and recover arrears from sin taxes, PAGCOR, and PCSO; strengthen preventive health programs to reduce hospitalizations and out-of-pocket costs and streamline public hospital services to ensure timely, dignified care for all.
“Leadership in health is not about prestige—it is about service. With Mercado and Ho at the helm, I hope for a Department of Health and a PhilHealth that embody competence, compassion and vision and deliver results at a pace that matches the urgency of our people’s needs,” Leachon added.
