Bato, Go defend Cascolan appointment to DOH

At least two senators have defended the appointment of former Philippine National Police chief Camilo Cascolan as undersecretary of the Department of Health, amid criticisms that he is unqualified for the job.

In a phone interview with reporters on Monday, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said one need not be a doctor to get appointed to the DOH, adding Cascolan could bring to the organization his "management background."

"So wala naman akong nakitang problema diyan. Pagka-Department of Health dapat manggagamot ka ng sakit? Management lang naman siguro ang kinakailangan galing sa kanya diyan," said Dela Rosa, himself a former PNP chief.

"Pagma-manage mo lang sa PNP na 200,000 plus na tao sa buong Pilipinas ay napakalaking background 'yan, at tsaka ever since pag-graduate niya sa [Philippine Military Academy]...'yung pagma-manage na ng tao, leadership skills niya eh naho-hone nang husto," Dela Rosa said.

Cascolan and Dela Rosa are both members of the Philippine Military Academy's Sinagtala Class of 1986.

"So 'yung department naman na 'yan ay hindi puro syringe, hindi puro medical equipment ang andyan kundi mga tao," he said.

Following the criticisms on Cascolan's appointment, Dela Rosa said medical professionals should not feel insulted as it is the prerogative of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to name officials to different government posts.

Senator Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also vouched for Cascolan, saying the former PNP chief is "very much capable" and has the expertise given his experience as head of the police force during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As a former PNP chief appointed at the height of the pandemic, he is very much capable and he brings with him the experience especially in instilling discipline and enforcing health and safety measures against COVID-19," Go said in a statement.

Go also expressed trust in Cascolan as the latter also served as undersecretary in the Office of the President during the Duterte administration.

Before his retirement in November 2020, Cascolan said he was open to a new government post. He was appointed as undersecretary of the Office of the President in February 2021.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Cascolan's appointment to the DOH came as a "big surprise" to him but did not elaborate on his statement.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros also said that Cascolan's appointment is unexpected.

"Tulad ng marami, hindi ko inaasahan ang pagkatalaga ni Usec. Camilo Cascolan sa Department of Health. Tulad rin ng marami, gusto sana nating ma-appoint ay may qualification, expertise, at aktibo sa public health sector," she said.

Although she said she respects her friend Cascolan as an "officer and a gentleman," Hontiveros said the DOH "should and must always be a public health-led agency, especially as we continue to deal with COVID-19 and other burdens of disease."

"However, we also recognize that it is the President’s prerogative to appoint individuals to office. We hope that the DOH will find suitable roles for Usec. Cascolan to further add value in addressing threats to public health security and safety in our communities," she said.

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and ACT Teacher's party-list Representative France Castro criticized Cascolan's appointment, saying it is an "insult to" and "slap in the face" of experts who are more qualified for the position.

But Cascolan defended himself, saying his expertise on emergency response, network, and experience will "play a great role in bringing health closer to the people."

On Sunday, the DOH said it received the appointment papers of Cascolan and of lawyer Charade Mercado-Grande, who serves as OIC-Undersecretary of Health/Assistant Secretary of the Health Regulation Team. —KBK, GMA News