Duterte accuses Leachon of eyeing gov't post amid questions on Chinese COVID-19 vaccines

President Rodrigo Duterte has accused former health adviser Dr. Tony Leachon of criticizing his administration's COVID-19 response so that he will be appointed to a government post.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday said Duterte has repeatedly hurled invectives at Leachon during meetings with Cabinet secretaries because of the health advocate's remarks.

Roque made the statement when asked for comment on Leachon’s take on the government’s plan to purchase 25 million doses of Chinese firm Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine even if it is yet to show its safety and efficacy after human trials.

“In-edit lang sa Talk to the People (by the President Rodrigo Duterte), madaming beses na po kayong namura ng Presidente. Ang sabi niya kung anu-ano sinasabi mo, ‘yun pala nagnanais ka lang ng puwesto sa gobyerno,” Roque said.

Leachon’s statement, which he posted on Twitter, read: "Isn’t it worrisome that the government is still prioritizing the vaccines for which there are not enough safety and efficacy data?"

Another tweet by Leachon read: "Isn't it disturbing that the government is still prioritizing the vaccines for which they're are not enough safety and efficacy data? Perhaps we need to know the matrix or guidelines on their priority list. Transparency is key.  Safety is paramount."

Isn't it disturbing that the government is still prioritizing the vaccines for which they're are not enough safety and efficacy data? Perhaps we need to know the matrix or guidelines on their priority list. Transparency is key. Safety is paramount.

— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) December 14, 2020

Roque, without addressing Leachon’s concerns, went on to say that Leachon deserved to be cursed at.

“Next time na murahin kayo ng Presidente, I will insist it will be shown to the people,” he said.

“Baka akala ni Dr. Leachon natutuwa ang Presidente sa inyo. All the other Cabinet members who were present during the recording of the Talk to the People can attest to this,” he added.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr., who previously worked with Leachon on the government’s COVID-19 response, agreed with Roque.

“Mahirap siya kasama, may sariling mundo,” Galvez said.

In June, Leachon said he is no longer a special adviser for the National Task Force Against COVID-19, headed by Galvez.  GMA News’ Joseph Morong reported that Leachon was asked to resign after a series of tweets critical of the Department of Health’s (DOH) handling of the country’s coronavirus response.

In a Twitter post, Leachon said he is not affected by what other people are saying.

I’m not affected anymore of what others would say as long as you work for the greater good. These are minor bumps in a life full of challenges. As a health advocate you will face these problems. We can’t please everyone. Roll with the punches. Focus on the higher goal. ????????

— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) December 14, 2020

Aside from Sinovac, Galvez said that the government is also eyeing COVID-19 vaccine deals with two other Chinese firms, Sinopharm and CanSino, by the first quarter of 2021 since vaccines from Western countries are only due to arrive by the third quarter of 2021.

Only COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca, as well as American firms Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been found 90% effective after human trials.

The United Kingdom has already started its mass COVID-19 vaccination last week using the vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech. The United States and Canada are expected to follow suit this week.—AOL, GMA News