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Advocates Philippines
House Leaders Slam Leachon Over Call For Recto Resignation
Photo credit: House of Representatives of the Philippines
Three House leaders on Monday pushed back against a call for the resignation of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, after Dr. Tony Leachon, a self-described “public health expert,” urged him to step down.
Deputy Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur criticized Leachon’s repeated public statements, saying he should focus on his medical profession instead of political calls.
“Parang sirang plaka itong si Leachon. Tumutok na lang sya sa pasyente nya kaysa makisawsaw at manawagan ng resignation ni ES Recto,” Adiong said.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also questioned Leachon’s credibility on non-medical issues.
“Si Dr. Leachon ay hindi economista. Kaya mas maigi na siya ay mag focus sa profession kung saan nya sinasabi na siya’y may alam. Hayaan ang usaping economiya sa mga economista,” Chua said.
Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo echoed similar remarks, saying Leachon’s public statements have become repetitive.
“Parang sirang plaka na si Leachon. Public health expert?
It was (Health) Sec. Ted Herbosa himself who affirmed that Leachon’s being a public health expert was his ‘requested label’ when interviewed,” she said.
Garin also questioned Leachon’s academic background in public health.
“Hindi naman yan nakapag-aral ng public health, masteral nor doctorate. Siya lang naglagay ng claim na yan,” she added.
The former health secretary further claimed Leachon had given questionable testimony in past cases, including Dengvaxia-related complaints.
“Bakit hindi nya sabihin sa publiko na kaya dismissed yung mga kaso sa RTC dahil sya lang naman ang ‘expert witness’ kung saan sinabi niyang ‘we soaked the bodies in water’ when asked how an autopsy is conducted,” Garin said.
“He also mentioned he is God’s gift to mankind. Parang siya ang salvation. Demurrer was granted because of fake autopsies and fake expert,” she added.
Garin also said Leachon had previously expected to be appointed Health Secretary following the resignation of then Health chief Enrique Ona, which she suggested may have fueled his criticism.
“He was expecting to be appointed SOH (secretary of health) when Secretary Ona resigned. Kaya ganyan ang galit sa akin,” she added.
Deputy Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur criticized Leachon’s repeated public statements, saying he should focus on his medical profession instead of political calls.
“Parang sirang plaka itong si Leachon. Tumutok na lang sya sa pasyente nya kaysa makisawsaw at manawagan ng resignation ni ES Recto,” Adiong said.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also questioned Leachon’s credibility on non-medical issues.
“Si Dr. Leachon ay hindi economista. Kaya mas maigi na siya ay mag focus sa profession kung saan nya sinasabi na siya’y may alam. Hayaan ang usaping economiya sa mga economista,” Chua said.
Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo echoed similar remarks, saying Leachon’s public statements have become repetitive.
“Parang sirang plaka na si Leachon. Public health expert?
It was (Health) Sec. Ted Herbosa himself who affirmed that Leachon’s being a public health expert was his ‘requested label’ when interviewed,” she said.
Garin also questioned Leachon’s academic background in public health.
“Hindi naman yan nakapag-aral ng public health, masteral nor doctorate. Siya lang naglagay ng claim na yan,” she added.
The former health secretary further claimed Leachon had given questionable testimony in past cases, including Dengvaxia-related complaints.
“Bakit hindi nya sabihin sa publiko na kaya dismissed yung mga kaso sa RTC dahil sya lang naman ang ‘expert witness’ kung saan sinabi niyang ‘we soaked the bodies in water’ when asked how an autopsy is conducted,” Garin said.
“He also mentioned he is God’s gift to mankind. Parang siya ang salvation. Demurrer was granted because of fake autopsies and fake expert,” she added.
Garin also said Leachon had previously expected to be appointed Health Secretary following the resignation of then Health chief Enrique Ona, which she suggested may have fueled his criticism.
“He was expecting to be appointed SOH (secretary of health) when Secretary Ona resigned. Kaya ganyan ang galit sa akin,” she added.
May 11, 2026
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