Herbosa to listen to critics, apologizes anew over controversial tweet

Newly-installed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday apologized over a previous social media post that criticized healthcare workers who have rallied for COVID-19 benefits at the peak of the pandemic.

“I apologize again in public for saying those things and it’s a sincere apology. Health secretary na ako, mukhang kailangang mag-ingat ako on things I would say,” Herbosa said in Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras."

(I apologize again in public for saying those things and it’s a sincere apology. I am a Health Secretary so I need to be careful about the things that I would say.)

“To those who want to protest, kumatok muna kayo sa pinto ko kasi kakausapin ko kayo, pakikinggan ko yung protest nyo. Baka naman maayos na natin sa lamesa,” he added.

(To those who want to protest, knock on my door first and I will talk to you. I will listen. Maybe we can discuss things first.)

Herbosa posted a controversial tweet in November 2021, where he thanked healthcare workers — except those who protested — for the celebration of National Heroes Day.

Some health workers' groups including the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) accepted his apology but said he should avoid judging them.

“Kung sinasabi niya na nagkamali siya, siyempre i-aaccept naman namin yon. Pero sana ang pakiusap din po namin, ay iwasan na niya po ang pag-judge sa amin,” said FNU secretary general Jocelyn Andamo.

(If he’s admitting he’s wrong then we can accept that but he should not judge us.)

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) expressed misgivings on the Health chief's apology, saying: “’Yung mga sorry na yan ay talagang hindi na namin pinaniniwalaan ‘yan”.

(We don’t believe his apologies.)

Meanwhile, Herbosa said he would push for a salary increase for healthcare workers.

“‘I’m talking to DBM (Department of Budget and Management) para ma-work yan kasi by law yan eh. I cannot just raise…I’d rather do that than have them leave abroad,” he added.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News