Leachon ‘desentonado’ kina Duque at Roque pinagbitiw ng Palasyo (Truthful, transparent, open, and straightforward…)

PINAYOHAN ng Palasyo na magbitiw ang isang health reform advocate na nagsilbing adviser ng National Task Force on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Inihayag kahapon ni Dr. Antonio “Tony” Leachon na kinausap siya ni National Task Force chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr., para magbitiw bilang kanyang tagapayo dahil ‘desentonado’ siya sa paraan ng komunikasyon ng Palasyo kaugnay sa kampanya kontra COVID-19.

“I was asked to resign,” sabi ni Leachon.

Aniya, sinabi sa kanya ni Galvez, hindi kursunada nina Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque at Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ang pagpuna niya sa mga kapalpakan ng Department of Health.

“My manner of communicating to the public that is truthful, transparent, open and straightforward may not be aligned with the communication strategy of the Palace. I think that is where we disagreed,” ani Leachon.

Nagsimula aniya ito sa pagbabawal sa kanyang isapubliko ang kanyang malayang pananaw na palagay niya’y makatutulong sa bansa.

“Time and again, I was asked not to speak on my independent views that I think would be helpful for the country. I think that is where that started,” dagdag niya.

Aminado si Leachon na nasaktan siya ngunit ayaw niyang maging pabigat kay Galvez na iginagalang niya kaya pumayag na siyang magbitiw bilang tagapayo nito.

Sinbi ni Leachon kamakailan na naniniwala siyang nawala na sa focus ng Department of Health sa “risk communication, priorities, data management and execution of plans.”

Dapat aniyang magmuni-muni, magpahinga at mag-recharge si Duque .

“I feel it’s a constructive comment so that the health agency will shape up knowing this is not business as usual,” sabi ni Leachon. (ROSE NOVENARIO)