Ex-health secretary Garin not surprised Leachon asked to quit post

Iloilo Representative Janette Garin  on Friday backed the exit from the government of resigned adviser Dr. Tony Leachon, who she said was more interested in figuring in the news instead of genuinely engaging with experts.

In a statement, the former secretary of health even called Leachon "evil" for looking out for his own interests amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Truth be told, I have no idea why he claims and why the media refers to him as a public health expert. Binigyan lang madalas ng plataporma para magsalita sa mga bagay na hindi niya naman naiintindihan sa kabuuan,” Garin said.

“At a time when we are facing a pandemic, personal interests should be set aside and public health should be prioritized. For a person to use this pandemic to get pity and sympathy and make it about himself is evil,” she added.

Garin issued the statement after Leachon quit his post as an adviser in the government's response versus COVID-19.

He cited differences with the Department of Health's policies on COVID-19 response such as lack of sense of urgency , problems in COVID data management and transparency in the communication process.

GMA News Online has sought Leachon's comment on Garin's statement but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

“I know Tony Leachon and have worked with him during my term as Secretary of the Department of Health and Chairman of the Philhealth Board," Garin said.

"It is no surprise that he was asked to resign from his post in the IATF. Ang tendency niya ay imbes na makipagdiskurso sa mga eksperto, ay ilalabas sa media ang mga opinyon niya,” she added.

“He seems to have the preponderance to always think how he can land on the headlines rather than focus on how to help. Real doctors and scientists do not do this. Unless, may pangarap na posisyon kaya nag-iingay,” Garin said.

Garin also cast doubt on expertise of Leachon, saying that the resigned government consultant is not really an expert.

The Philippines has 27,799 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 7,090 recovered while 1,116 died. -NB, GMA News