More than 300 doctors from the Philippine College of Physicians issued an “Expression of Indignation and Call to Action” on 11 October, protesting corruption in the Duterte government amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the health professionals are condemning President Rodrigo Duterte’s attempts to block the investigations of the Philippine Senate on anomalies in the disbursements of COVID-19 response funds.

Doctors who signed the letter included former Department of Health secretaries Carmencita Reodica, Manuel Dayrit, Enrique Ona Jr, Esperanza Cabral and Paulyn Ubial. They demanded Duterte not to obstruct the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry.

Last week, Duterte issued a memorandum ordering DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III and other Cabinet members to ignore the summons of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. He also warned that senators will be sent to jail if they insisted on pushing on with their investigations.

Duterte’s threats have been met with defiance. Dr. Maricar Limpin, President of the Philippine College of Physicians, said, “We all deserve to know the truth. We will reject all efforts to block or cover-up the testimonies on what truly happened. Hence, we demand transparency, exigency, and accountability!"

At the press conference of the PCP Council of Past Presidents on 11 October, Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, PCP President of 2009-2010, said, “This Expression of Indignation and Call to Action should not only come from the doctors and health sector. It should come from all of us. Because the illness of one, is the life of others.

“All of us have the responsibility to clean our society of corruption. If we do not give the needed attention and respect for the health and life of the Filipino, our economy will fail, so will the security and peace of our society, the education of our children and the future of our country,” said Dr. Ramos.

He stressed, “Let us clear our minds of the garbage that we see. Let's help the good guys, and get rid of the bad ones. Once and for all, let's do the right thing for our county... for ourselves, our families and our children.”