Several House leaders on Monday criticized a physician over his call for the resignation of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, and accused him of repeatedly interfering in issues outside his field of expertise.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong dismissed Dr. Tony Leachon’s remarks, saying the doctor should focus on his medical profession instead of involving himself in political and economic matters.
“Parang sirang plaka itong si Leachon. Tumutok na lang siya sa pasyente niya kaysa makisawsaw at manawagan ng resignation ni ES Recto,” Adiong said.
For his part, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also questioned the doctor’s comments on economic issues, stressing that such matters should be left to trained economists.
“Si Dr. Leachon ay hindi ekonomista. Kaya mas maigi na siya ay mag-focus sa profession kung saan niya sinasabi na siya’y may alam. Hayaan ang usaping ekonomiya sa mga ekonomista,” Chua said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Rep. Janette Garin of Iloilo likewise slammed Leachon, saying the physician has repeatedly portrayed himself as a public health expert despite allegedly lacking formal academic specialization in the field.
“Parang sirang plaka na si Leachon,” Garin said, adding that even Health Secretary Ted Herbosa had previously described the “public health expert” label as Leachon’s own preferred description.
The former health secretary claimed Leachon neither completed a master’s degree nor doctorate in public health.
Garin also revisited the Dengvaxia controversy, challenging Leachon to explain to the public why complaints filed against her in relation to the issue were dismissed in court.
“Bakit hindi niya sabihin sa publiko na kaya dismissed yung mga kaso sa RTC dahil siya lang naman ang ‘expert witness,’” Garin said.
She further alleged that Leachon’s testimony during court proceedings weakened the cases, citing his statements regarding autopsy procedures.
The Iloilo lawmaker also accused Leachon of harboring resentment after allegedly failing to secure an appointment as secretary of health following the resignation of former Health secretary Enrique Ona.
“He was expecting to be appointed SOH when Secretary Ona resigned. Kaya ganyan ang galit sa akin,” Garin added.
The exchange came amid continuing political debate surrounding calls for Recto’s resignation, with administration allies rallying behind the Executive Secretary and rejecting criticism directed at him.