HOUSE deputy majority leader Janette Garin has warned the public against any disinformation being spread by a fear-peddling doctor who had been described by a court as fake expert.
Garin, also known in healthcare community as Doc Nanay, said that medical fearmongers are a threat to public health.
“Intentionally distorting medical facts on public health is the breeding ground of infodemics,” stressed Garin, who emphasized the need to combat the epidemic of wellness-related fake news.
Garin made the statement during her privilege speech on Tuesday, wherein she mentioned that Tony Leachon, who was ruled as non-medical expert in an earlier court decision, allegedly continued to spread digital false information.
The Iloilo lady lawnaker was referring to an online open letter of Leachon addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. which commented that healthcare is not a priority of the present administration.
Underscoring the danger of infodemic, Garin said “we should not keep mum if there is somebody sowing intrigues and disinformation among the general public,” the lawmaker said, adding that even the World Health Organization has stressed the need to flatten the curve of infodemic.
“Pinaglalaruan lang ang mga Pilipino
ni Tony Leachon dahil karamihan sa kanyang sinasabi ay pawang twisted information,” Garin added.
According to the WHO, an infodemic is too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak. It causes confusion and risk-taking behaviours that can harm health.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo First District Representative clarified that the removal of the subsidy on Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) under the 2025 national budget would not affect its members amid concerns regarding public health.
She explained that the PhilHealth subsidy has been removed as subsidies were not given to real people and that the President himself has already explained that the health agency has substantial funds to amply service the medical concerns and needs of its members.
“Bakit po naging zero? Dahil sang-ayon sa ating oversight hearings at ilang session ng committee on appropriations, nakitaan na ‘yung ilang taon na na ibinibigay na premium o subsidy ng national government ay tama ang numero pero kulang ang tao,” said Garin, who is vice chairperson on committee on appropriations.
“Nagkaroon ng duplication or triplication of needs. Nandoon ‘yung napakagulong listahan na ‘yung isang pangalan ay tatlong beses ineenroll, kung minsan ay dalawang beses, nandun din ‘yung patay na inenroll pa, nandun din ‘yung bayad na pero siningil pa ang national government,” she shared, adding that these acts were fraudulent.
