55 health groups back ex-DOH spox Vergeire
Some 55 groups of health-care professionals led by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) expressed grave concern on Monday over the recent removal of veteran career officials from the Department of Health (DOH), including Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, who served as the department’s spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a joint statement, the groups urged President Marcos to respect the integrity of the civil service, saying that removing longtime career officials from any government agency, especially at the DOH, weakens institutional stability and public trust.
“We are therefore deeply concerned over her (Vergeire) recent removal, along with other career DOH officials who have demonstrated competence and dedication,” they added.
The almost 100,000 physician-members of the PMA were joined by groups composed of the country’s nurses, midwives, medical technologists, as well as different medical societies.
“These actions—and the appointment of officials with limited public health background crucially needed in their roles—risk undermining institutional stability, demoralizing other health professionals, and weakening the public trust we have collectively worked to build,” they said.
While stressing that they respect his prerogative to appoint officials, the group urged the President to uphold the principles of meritocracy and civil service integrity.
“Political transitions must not come at the cost of technical excellence or institutional memory—especially at a time when the country continues to face urgent health challenges, including the recent calamities affecting our communities,” they said.
“To President Marcos Jr., we appeal to your leadership to protect and strengthen the foundations of professional, non-partisan health governance,” they added.
Science-based leadership
The health professionals at the same time expressed gratitude to Vergeire for her “unwavering science-based leadership and principled public service, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Her calm and credible presence helped guide millions of Filipinos through uncertainty, and her consistent engagement with the healthcare workers earned her deep respect across sectors,” they said.
In a letter dated July 14, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin informed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa that Vergeire’s tenure “has expired, effective immediately.”
On Aug. 1, Malacañang confirmed the appointment of Randy Escolango on July 14 as DOH undersecretary, in place of Vergeire.
Before his transfer to the DOH, Escolango was an undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. He also served at the Department of Labor and Employment, Insurance Commission and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Neither the DOH nor Malacañang gave an explanation for Vergeire’s removal. The Inquirer also reached out for comment to the Career Executive Service Board and the Civil Service Commission, but they have yet to respond.
Vergeire holds the rank of Career Executive Service Officer (Ceso) II, which grants her security of tenure. Cesos may be terminated only on the following grounds and after undergoing due process: just cause, voluntary resignation or if dropped from the rolls.
Two other DOH career officials who made a quiet exit were Undersecretaries Achilles Gerard Bravo (Ceso II) and Kenneth Ronquillo (Ceso III).
Bravo and Ronquillo, however, had reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for civil servants in January and April, respectively, although they stayed on in a holdover capacity until June.
Early retirement?
Vergeire, however, has more than eight years left in government service before she reaches the mandatory retirement age. She will be only 57 years old in November.
Vergeire joined the DOH in 2007 after working for 11 years at the Marikina City health office.
Independent reform advocate Tony Leachon also expressed concern that the bureaucratic reshuffle at the DOH was enforced “without clear communication, merit-based justification or institutional transparency.”
Leachon, who briefly served as the DOH special adviser for noncommunicable diseases, said the silent exit of the department’s senior officials “left a vacuum in leadership at a time when the health system is already on life support.”
He called for a congressional inquiry into the impact of these changes on national health outcomes, as he also urged Malacañang to provide a public explanation and the criteria used for the removal of Vergeire. —WITH A REPORT FROM VERLEEN DASIGAN
