Health groups gather at the senate in support of Judy Taguiwalo

The progressive health sector joins the youth, teachers, the urban poor, workers, and farmers in support of Judy Taguiwalo, current Department of Social Welfare and Development chief. "We highly commend her service to the people, putting them in top priority and rejecting policies that permit corruption and patronage politics," said Dr. Darby Santiago, Health Alliance for Democracy chairperson.

With Judy as DSWD chief, the nation has seen one of the quickest responses from government agencies. Relief goods came quickly despite landslides and road blockades after Typhoon Lawin devastated Cagayan Province. The same was true after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Leyte. DSWD was also one of the first relief teams on site during the Marawi conflict.

Taguiwalo, for most of her time in DSWD, rejected using DSWD funds as pork barrel for senators and congressmen. Patronage politics was out of the question. "This, we believe, is the reason why there are parties and/or individuals, members of the cabinet and militarists, who want her out of President Duterte's cabinet," said Dr. Santiago.

"Judy's rejection as DSWD chief will be a mere replay of what happened with Gina Lopez, who was rejected as Department of Environment and Natural Resources chief after instilling reforms that allowed the department to actually protect the environment," he added.

HEAD believes that the confirmation of Judy Taguiwalo, together with Rafael Mariano of the Department of Agrarian Reform, ultimately benefits the interests of the common people, farmers, and the urban poor. Their track record is proof of their success as public servants. Their rejection, on the other hand, would only serve the interests of the bureaucrats and oligarchs, whose greed is intent on exploiting government funds and laws through these government institutions.

"Upon their rejection from cabinet positions, the Duterte administration will be left with nothing: neither substantial reform nor change for the very same people that Duterte vowed to serve. Whatever achievement the Duterte administration had through these government institutions will be lost," added Dr. Santiago. "It is the coffers of corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, and the oligarchs that would prosper instead."

For these reasons, the health sector continues to support the confirmation of DSWD chief Judy Taguiwalo, and DAR chief Ka Paeng Mariano. The Duterte administration should stop listening to the dictates of the bureaucracy, as well as the whispers of his pro-US militarist officials. Duterte must uphold the interests of the masses. Confirm Judy!