In a sobering and impassioned interview, Dr. Tony Leachon painted a grim prognosis for the Philippines, diagnosing the nation as a “moribund” patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with a healthcare system on the brink of death. His analysis moved beyond medical metaphor to deliver a scathing critique of systemic governance failures, alleged corruption, alleged massive fund diversions, and a profound lack of moral leadership.
The Core Diagnosis: A Healthcare System in Collapse
Budgetary Sabotage: He highlighted the President’s veto of the PhilHealth budget for 2025, stating the system is now “zero for 2025.” He cited that while the government claims to have ₱130 billion, the vital earmarked funds from “sin taxes” on products like alcohol and sugary drinks have been removed, which he called a violation. This, he argued, is not just poor management but an act where “our own government is stealing from us.”
Dr. Leachon anchored his critique on a specific financial crisis: the alleged diversion of PhilHealth funds. He repeatedly questioned the whereabouts of a promised ₱60 billion, emphasizing that these are contributions deducted from citizens’ salaries and sin taxes—earmarked funds meant exclusively for healthcare. He alleges that this has not been returned to the healthcare system, and questioned why neither the President nor the Executive Branch has claimed or solidified this fund. Dr. Leachon raised concerns about interest earned on these funds, asking, “Where did that go? Who earns that?”
A Healthcare System in Collapse and Human Cost: He translated this financial abstraction into visceral suffering: patients abandoning emergency rooms upon learning they must pay, families driven into bankruptcy by medical bills, and a system where “you will just die” if you cannot pay. He described a dire reality for patients: high out-of-pocket expenses (citing 46% in the Philippines vs. 9% in Thailand), bankruptcies, and long lines for guarantees at hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital as early as 3 a.m.
He lamented the irony of the Philippines being a top exporter of nurses and doctors while its own public health sector is in a “mess,” driven by low salaries and poor conditions.
Leachon attributed the system’s impending “death” to a lack of understanding and urgency from the country’s leadership. He stated, “Our health care system is going to die because the President doesn’t understand the issue.”
Ghost Hospitals: Leachon paralleled the healthcare fund crisis with the “ghost hospital” scandal—health facilities worth hundreds of billions built but left non-operational due to lack of staff, equipment, or substandard construction. He labeled this a “systemic failure” and “multi-organ failure” of governance, holding the Department of Health ultimately accountable for lack of oversight.
Leachon equated the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) to a infrastructure scandal, referencing the discovery of “ghost hospitals.”
He cited a congressional investigation revealing that of 600 health centers built, only 200 were functional, with 400 unused due to being unfinished, substandard, or lacking staff and equipment.
He placed ultimate accountability on the Secretary of Health, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, as the steward of the program, while also implicating a “systemic failure” across implementing agencies like the DPWH and local governments.
The Deeper Malady: A Crisis of National Character and Leadership
Beyond budgets and hospitals, Dr. Leachon identified a more profound sickness in the body politic.
- Loss of Heroism and Patriotism: He lamented the absence of modern-day equivalents of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal—individuals who use intellect, sacrifice, and moral courage for the country. He stated, “We don’t have patriotism, we don’t have heroism, we don’t have a sense of sacrifice… That’s why this country will go down the drain.”
- The Enemy Within: In a poignant moment, he declared, “Our enemy in the past was the Spaniards. Our enemy became the Americans. Now, our enemy is the Filipinos… who are leading us, who are deceiving us.” This, he said, was the most painful and unacceptable reality.
- Leadership Failure: He criticized leaders for lacking compassion, moral courage, and a sense of urgency, describing a materialistic and self-serving political culture focused on “branded clothes” and “photo-ops” rather than service.
The Prescription for Change: A Moral Revolution and Citizen Action
Despite the bleak assessment, Dr. Leachon proposed a clear path to recovery, centered not on violent upheaval but on profound moral and civic renewal.
- Demand Accountability and Justice: He insisted that those responsible for the missing funds and failed projects must be “named and punished.” His message was clear: “If no one is imprisoned here, and no one will be punished, then none of this is happening.” He emphasized the need for justice and imprisonment for the corrupt across all branches of government.
- A Moral and Patriotic Revolution: He called for a peaceful revolution of values—a resurgence of patriotism, integrity, and sacrifice modeled on Rizal’s legacy. This revolution requires citizens to awaken and persistently question their leaders. He rejected the idea of a bloody revolution, instead calling for a “moral revolution” and a resurgence of patriotism modeled after national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who fought through his writings.
- Exercise Moral Courage with Respect: He advised Filipinos to be brave in demanding change, but to do so he urged citizens to exercise “moral courage”—to speak truth respectfully, demand accountability, and use wisdom. “We need to show them in a nice way without disrespecting them.”
- Practical Advocacy: He urged netizens to write coherently, share information, and maintain respectful discourse to enlighten others and hold power to account.
Glimmers of Hope and Personal Resilience
Acknowledging “silver linings,” Leachon cited:
- The “enlightenment” of the President on certain issues, though he criticized a lack of follow-through.
- The presence of hardworking and inspiring public servants.
- The vigilant voices of netizens and journalists.
For personal and collective sanity amidst the crisis, he prescribed:
- Physical Activity: Walking 30 minutes daily or 5 minutes every hour to boost mental and physical health.
- Stoic Resilience: Drawing on principles of control, wisdom, and justice to manage stress and maintain focus on advocacy.
- Continuous Engagement: Using writing as a tool for reasoned, documented critique to inspire change.
Dr. Tony Leachon’s message is a stark alarm bell and a clarion call. He frames the Philippines’ plight not merely as a series of policy failures but as an existential crisis of morality and national identity. His comprehensive “prescription” challenges every Filipino—from the highest official to the ordinary citizen—to embark on a revolution of conscience, accountability, and patriotic action to pull the nation back from the brink. The underlying question remains: Is the patient—the Philippine nation—willing to take the medicine?
