Several celebrities and netizens shared their dismay over the appointment of former NBI Chief Dante Gierran as the new Philhealth President and CEO.
On Monday, Malacanang announced the appointment of Gierran to the state-insurance agency replacing the Ricardo Morales who resigned over allegations of corruption. Gierran has openly admitted that he has no background in public health.
In a tweet, Saab Magalona used expletives after learning the news of Gierran’s appointment.
“What the actual fuck,” she said.
What the actual fuck https://t.co/2eM5O0mlkn
— Saab (@saabmagalona) September 1, 2020
Columnist Gideon Lasco, on the other hand, slammed Duterte’s lack of discernment in appointing officials in government.
“Replacing an Army general with an ex-NBI chief as head of PhilHealth, Duterte continues to show disdain for our gov’t institutions and the expertise required to run them. It’s very very clear that the root problem is not the appointees – but the president appointing them,” he wrote.
Replacing an Army general with an ex-NBI chief as head of PhilHealth, Duterte continues to show disdain for our gov't institutions and the the expertise required to run them.
It's very very clear that the root problem is not the appointees – but the president appointing them.
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) August 31, 2020
Forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun meanwhile shared fear for Philhealth as Gierran takes over the top post.
“Patay kang PhilHealth ka,” Fortun tweeted.
https://twitter.com/Doc4Dead/status/1300619737571799041
Mental health advocate and youth leader Dr. RJ Naguit also shared his dismay over appointing the “best and the brightest” in government.
“Philhealth President and CEO who openly admits that he doesn’t know anything about public health. Best and the brightest, indeed!” he wrote.
https://twitter.com/raymondnaguit/status/1300650736628326400
Aside from celebrities, Philhealth workers themselves were also disappointed with the appointment of Gierran to the state-insurance agency.
According to Philhealth WHITE leader Fe Francisco, they are dismayed that President Rodrigo Duterte seemingly ignored their calls to install someone who is a public health or finance expert to the agency which is also mandated by the law.
“Medyo dismayado kami, disappointed kasi hindi pinakinggan ang aming panawagan na magtalaga si President Duterte ng isang expert, financial expert na mamuno sa PhilHealth. Nasa batas naman po na may 7 years experience in the field of public health, finance health economics or the combination of any of these expertise,” said Francisco in an interview with Teleradyo.
According to the Universal Health Care Law, the Philhealth CEO and President are required to have at least 7 years of experience in public health, finance, management, and health economics.
The President appoints former NBI Chief Dante Gierran as new President & CEO of Philhealth.
Here are the requirements under the Universal Health Care Law. pic.twitter.com/rfI2hpoyW8
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) August 31, 2020
Gierran being a former NBI director, however, admitted that he has no knowledge about public health and how Philhealth is run.
“I’m a little bit scared… because I don’t know the operation of PhilHealth. I do not know what is public health,” Gierran said in an interview with ANC.
Meanwhile, here are other reactions from netizens and celebrities about Gierran’s appointment.
Philippines will keep going downhill if we let people who doesn’t have any idea about their job/responsibilities lead our country. https://t.co/GXJRd8VSqI
— Dawn Chang (@thedawnchang) September 1, 2020
We are, too, since you're clearly unfit for the job. https://t.co/2fdFhCBiOM
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) September 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/kevinmanalo_/status/1300627907535015936
If the new Philhealth chief admits that he doesn’t know about public health… uhm… paano kaya mapaptakbo ng maayos? Anong plano?
lalo na we’re in the middle of a pandemic…
Honest question from a taxpayer and a registered voter. https://t.co/y2UKtZCXxH
— Kean Cipriano (@keancipriano) September 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1300650601752047617
The new PHILHEALTH Chief has no background in PUBLIC HEALTH.
Mars, make it make sense. https://t.co/f3PxTAtfW7
— ricci (@ricci_richy) August 31, 2020
Umm wait https://t.co/H0RhNvN4E3
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) September 1, 2020
LORD HAVE MERCY https://t.co/IVqHV4BCsU
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) September 1, 2020
