A COLLECTIVE EXPRESSION OF INDIGNATION AND A CALL TO ACTION From the Members of the Medical Profession and the Health Sector The Filipino people are losing their lives, their livelihood and their hope. What more proof is needed to convince us that the respect that they deserve from their leaders has been wanting at best, and nil at worst? What alternative truth can possibly stop us from saying that what is happening to our country must end? What must we scream and how must we act to put our country back on the right track? ‘OUR PRECARIOUS SITUATION We are at the brink where we must take charge and tarry no longer, lest the health system of our country fall off the cliff and bring down with it everything else that health impacts on: our economy, social order and security, education, national growth & development, and the capacity to compete for the future. The continuous and persistent assault to our fragile and unstable health system is corrosive and destructive. We cannot - and must not - allow this to continue! FOLLY OF PASSIVITY Guided by our Code of Conduct, we, the members of the health profession and the health sector of the Philippines, have endeavored to remain true to our mandate to attend to the health needs of the nation without regard for politics. But no other phenomenon in history than this Covid-19 global pandemic has opened our eyes and minds wider to the vulnerability and folly of this long-standing passivity. It has left free and unrestrained politicians and people with absolutely no competence in running the country, much less this catastrophic health debacle, to abuse power with impunity, misuse and steal taxpayers’ money and insult their intelligence, feed on the Filipinos’ desperation and helplessness at the time when their plea for true leadership is loudest but has remained unheeded.BROKEN HEALTH SYSTEMS Exposed and battered beyond any doubt in the past 18 months of the global pandemic, our broken health systems need to be overhauled and invested ‘upon with huge financial resources and human expertise in both science and technology, and the political will of our top leaders to get things done quickly. Instead, the global pandemic has brought to bear on the Filipino people not only the contagion of, and deaths from, Covid-19 but worse, the incompetence, insensitivity and corruption of no less than those who are supposed to lead and protect them. Unmitigated and shameless greed is being flaunted to our faces! IMPUNITY HAS BECOME THE NORM. The corruption and the total disregard for decency and morality have begun to permeate the Filipino soul, This is NOT who we are, but this is what we are going to be unless we do something about it NOW. Impunity has become the norm: the culture that our offspring will imbibe in the years to come is there for all of us to dread. The so-called leaders, voted into office ‘without thinking’, have no more shame - brazen, avaricious, sugapa , with no regard for how the nation would survive! They actually believe that they can go on and on with this delusion of irreproachable power, reflected from their leader who they will eventually dump when the time comes, SLIPPERY SLOPE OF DECAY We shout out our indignation and intolerance to what is happening! We will no longer compromise the truth for what we have been conditioned to believe to be true but clearly isn't, we shall not go down the slippery slope of decay as a nation. We are already down on the ground, made worse by the fear, helplessness and hopelessness that can paralyze us into inaction. WE ARE IN PAIN We cannot go on fighting for every Filipino's life and health if we cannot work together - because we are afraid, because we are severely handicapped, because we are in pain - physically and psychologically, because our numbers are dwindling. If we say and do nothing, and just accept that our nation’s health will remain in the hands of people who care not for our country but for themselves, then what are we here for?WHO ARE WE? We are the leaders of the health profession and the health sector. As we look beyond our individual comforts and interests, we aspire to fight for order, decency and integrity in government, and commit to take collective action against poor governance and impropriety in the health sector for the sake of our patients, our colleagues, our families and children, the doctors, nurses and nurse assistants at the frontlines, the medical technologists in the laboratories, and for ‘our own sake. We avow to initiate and execute within our respective professional organizations appropriate collective action toward this end. EXPRESSION OF OUR INDIGNATION For love of country, our Philippines, we are affixing our signatures as expression of our indignation, raising our voice to ensure that we are heard, and expressing our readiness to take a stand against whoever and whatever would dare frustrate the Filipinos’ call for good governance, and deprive them access to decent healthcare and the right to aspire for a healthy life! We are asserting the call to change and render accountable the people who are responsible for the abuse, misuse and theft of the people's money for their own benefit at the worst time when the citizens’ lives are at stake! ‘SUPPORT THE SENATE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE We support the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in its investigation to seek the truth and crush corruption that has severely crippled our society. Public office is a Public trust. Public officials should be accountable to the people; they should serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; they should act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. We do not and cannot expect anything less. (seb) Past Presidents and Leaders of Medical Societies Dr. Esperanza A. casas-Cabral Dr. Vicente V. Tanseco J. ast President Philippine Collegeof Physilans Past President, Philippine Collegeof Physicians Dr. Abdias V. Aquino Dr. Antonio H Villalon ast President, Piippine Collegeof Physilan Past President, Philippine Collegeof PhysiciansDr. charles . Yu Post President Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Norbert Lingling D. Uy ost President Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Priscilla 8. Caguloa Post President, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Nenita Avena-Collantes Post President, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Maria Gina. Nazareth Post President, Philippine Collegeof Physicians Dr. Minguita Pala Chair, Ee Bank Foundation of the Philippines Dr. SaturineP.avier ast President, Philipine Heart Association Dr. Lynn &. Gomez Post President, Philippine Society of Nephrology Philippine Society of Hypertension Dr. Antonio Sibulo Je. ‘ost Present Philippine Heart Association Dr. Ma. Belen 0. Carisma ‘ost President, Philippine Hear Asocition Dr. Dante D. Morales ost President, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Marcelit L Durante ost President, Philippine College of Physicians & Philippine Heart Association Dr. Rene|.Juaneza Post Preziient Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Eugenio Jose R. Ramos Post Present, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Oscar T.cabahug Post President Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Anthony C.Leachon Post President, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go Post President, Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Marlo M. Panaligan Post President, Philippine College of Physicians br. Albert A. Atilano ost President Philippine Society of Hypertension br Nelson S. Abelard Post President Philippine Society of Hypertension Dr. Cesars. Recto ost President Philppine Heart Association br. Orlando R. Bugarin ost President Philppine Heart Association br Rafael R Castilo ost President, Philppine Hear Associaton Dr. RaulL Lapitan ost President, Pilppine Heart Associaton Dr. Edgardo F. Faustino ost President, Philippine Colege of Physiclans- Southern ston Chapter Dr. fren 8 iealdo ost President Philippine Heart Associaton br. annette R. Rey ost President Philippine Heart Association ‘br. Walfrida W. Sumpatca ost President Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society Dr. Romeo D. Saavedra ost President Philippine Heart Association 1. Rosalia P. Torres ost President, Pilppine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine br. Lellan! Mercado-Asis ost President Philippine Society of Hypertension br. Aurelia G. Leus Past President Philppine Heat Association Dr. Eleanor A. Jara Corconvenor, Solidarity of Health Advocates and Personne! ‘tha Unified Plan to defeat COVIO-19 SHAPE UP) Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez Philppine Psychiatry Association r. elizabeth Arcellana-Nugul ost President, Philppine Society of Oncologlst, UP Medial Alumni SocietyDr. AdrelE. Guerrero President Philippine Lipid and Artrioscleosis Society Dr. Carolyn R1Narvacan-Montano Pest President, Phippine Collegeof Physicians: Southern Luzon Chapter Dr. Edgardo E. Ortiz ast President, Philppine Heart Association Dr. Jorge A sison ast President, Philppine Heart Association br. Francisco Y. Arcellana je ast President, Philippine College of Surgeons ‘br. Manuel T. Chua Chiaco Former Drectr,Phiippine Heart Center Dr. jasmin R lgama, {Cohair, Commitee on External Relations Philpine College of Physicians Dr. Alex. Junia Past President, Philippine Heart Association Dr. Benjamin N. Alimurung Former Medco Director, Makati Medical Center Dr. Louie C.Racells ast President, Academy of Filpino Neurosurgeans Dr. Beatrice). Tangco ast President, Phlppine Society of Medical Oncology Patricia Mines Gomer, RM, MCHS Executive Director, Integrated Midwives Assocation of the Philipines in Dr. Ma. Angelina L Mirasol ast President, Philippine Collegeof Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Dr. Dina €. Gonzales ast preside. Prppine Society of Gastroenterology Dr. Mark Anthony de Lusong, ast Pecdent, Prlppine Society of Digestive Endoscony ‘r. Benjamin Gerardo A. Perez Post President, Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy Dr. Marie Michelle S.Cloa ast President, Philppie Society of Digestive Endoscopy br. Lyra Ruth Clemente-chua ast President, Philppine Obstetrics and Gynecological sociey Dr. Marysia T. Recto ast President. Philippine Society of Alergy Asthma and Immunology r. Catherine SC Teh President, Piippine Assocation of HPB Surgeons Dr. Patricia €,Prodigalidad ‘Secretary Piippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy br. Ester. tanga ast President, Philippine Neurological Association br. Aileen Rosel Santos Ways ond Mears Member, Klusang Kontra Covid (ikoviey 1. Conrado Gabriel C. Lorenzo i Maat! Medial Center 1. Carmella Lou A. Bingeang ‘curren resident, Phippne Society of Blood and Marrow Transplant . Rafael . claudio ast President, Philippine Society of Oncologists Dr. Josephine 8. amos ast President Philippine College of Chest Physicians br. Marvin D. Basco ast president, Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy Dr. Dennis A. Ona Post President Philippine Society of Digesve Endoscopy br. Buenaventura C. Ramos, Presiden, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology Dr. juliet Gopez-Cervantes Gastroenteroiogst Dr. Roberto C. mirasot ast President. Philippine Society of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metaboli Dr. Eduardo R.Gatchallan ast President, Philippine Collegeof Surgeons Dr. Cynthia Cuayo Juco Philippine Pediatric Society Dr. Jllus€.co-Soriano President Phiipine Society of Digestive Endoscopy ‘ir. Marceliano T. Aquino ost President, Philippine Society of GastroenterologyDr. Alberto Roxas Past President, Philippine Collegeof Surgeons Dr. Cynthia Hall‘ Manabat, MO Past President, Philppine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metaboli Dr. Gabriel. jasul, MO ast President, Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes ana Metabolism Dr. Ma, Carmela Kasala ast President, Phippine Society of Alergy, Asthma and ‘immunology 1. Roberto N. de Guzman, Jr ast President, Hepatology Society ofthe Philppines De. Agnes A. Alaila-Aba President, Pciatic Nephrology Sacet of the Phiipines br Marlo M.Juco ast President, Philippine College of Chest Physicians br. Jose Vicente T Prodigaidad Makati Medial Center Dr. Mia. Fojas ast President, Pil Society of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism Dr. Virginia Irene R. Santos MD FPPS (COVIOWACC TEAM, RID 3780 Dr. Jerry H. Santos MD FPUA, Member, AUA Dr. Lorenzo Angelo R. Santos MD UST, 2nd year resident, Department of Ophthalmology r. Olimpia Malanyaon Dresden, Society of Pediatric Carlovascuar imaging of the Philippines Dr. Victor 8. Lopez (Ophthalmology Dr. Jeremyjones F. Robles, MD ast President, Philppine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ‘Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas ast President, Phippine Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons br. Augusto D.Litonjua ast President, Philippine Collegeof Physicians Professor Emeritus, UP College Of Medicine Dr. Michaet L villa President Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metaboliem Dr. Rosa Allyn 6. Sy, MD Past resident, Philippine Sacety of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Dr. Joselynn AFel-Quimpo Past resident, Piippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Dr. Armando C.Crsostomo ast resident, Piippine Collegeof Surgeons Dr. GenerosoT. Abes Past President, Philippine Socety torhinolayngology- Head Neck Surgery Professor Emertus, UP Collegeof Medicine Dr. Cecila A Jimeno, MD ast resident, Phiippne Sacet of Endocrinology, Diabetes ‘and Metabolism Dr. Mary Ann Lim-Abrahan, MD Post resident Phiipine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metaboiism Dr. Pepito E.Dela Pefa, MD Post resident, Piippne Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes [and Metabolism Dr. Noemi M.Sarabla MO Governor 2019, Philippine Medical Association Dr. PatrelaP. Prodigalidad President, Sleep Society Dr. Carle Cornejo Gostroenterlogist Makati Medical Center Ronald V. Romero Board Director, Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy Dr. Stephen M. Nazareth Urologist Makati Medical Center Dennis L. Sacdalan Clinical Associate Professor, Internal Medicine and Oncology Dr. Clarita Cruz Maafo Past resident, Phiippine Dermatological Society Professor Emerius, UP Collegeof Medicine Dr. Luisto R. Maafo ast resident Philippine Orthopecl AssociationDr. Joseph C. Bocobo ost President. Philippine Society of Gastroenterology Dr. Deo Panganiban Dresden Piippine Society of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Dr. Camille Ann €. Abaya. Obsteics& Gynecology, St Luke's Medial Center, QC and Dr. Madalinee Eternity D.Lablo ast President, epatology Society ofthe Piippines Dr. Rudle Frederick 8. Mendiola, MD ast President Philippine Society of Reproductive Medicine Dr. Noe! M. Cast President, Phiipine Society of Nepheology Dr. Antonio R Paraiso ast President, Philippine Society of Nephrology Dr. Laura Trajano-Acampado ost President, Philippine Socety of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Dr. Gladys A. Diaz ast Presider, Phil Society of Nephrology Southern “Tagalog Chapter Dr. Maria Rhodora de Lara-Valenzona, President, CP Southern Luzon Chapter Dr Joseph Michael Abcede ast President, Philippine Society of Nephrology Southern ‘Tagalog Chapter October 8, 2021 For Communication and Informatior Dr. Minguita Padila Chair, ye Bank Foundation Cell number +63 917 513 1240 Dr. Vicente V.Tanseco Jr. ast President, Philippine College of Physiians Cell number +63 917 560 6603 Dr. Gabriel a Eala £0, SPC Medical Certer San Pablo Cty Dr. Frederick Ty Post President, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology Dr. Maria Vietoria 0. Garcia Presiden, Philippine Collegeof Physicians, Marikina Chapter Dr. Elmer M. Garcia Past resident, Philippine Collegeof Physicians, Marikina Chapter Dr. Vimar Luz ‘Board of Trustees Member Pilppine Society of Nephrology Dr. Dolores Bonzon Past resident, Piipine Society of Nephrology Dr. Marie Dione P.Sacdalan Genero! Surgery, The Medica Cty and Medical Center Mania Dr. albert chua Past Presient, Philippine Society of Nephrology Dr. Theresa Marie Valdez-Faller ‘Post Presidert,aliance of Cinial Endocrinol Prilppines Dr. Roberto ¢.Tanchanco Past resident Piipine Society of Nephrology Dr. Helen Ocdot Past Presiden, Philippine Society of Nephrology Dr. Roselmo Dovalsantos, Convenor, HPAAC Open Spaces Coalition Dr. Anthony C. Leachon Past President, Philippine Collegeof Physicians Cell number +63 917 530 3788 Dr. Norbert Ling Ling Uy Post Present, Philippine College of Physicians Cell number +63 917 896 6802 Become a part of this historical undertaking in the Philippine medical community. Make your voice be heard. Express your indignation by signing this Petition. Contact: Dr. Anthony C, Leachon anthonyleachon@igmailcom