Former president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Anthony Leachon was removed from his post as the special adviser of the National Task Force on Covid-19 (NTF) for issuing “preemptive” statements on the government’s policies on the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Chief implementer of the government’s national policy on Covid-19 Carlito Galvez confirmed Leachon was asked to step down from his post for causing confusion between the NTF and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
“Dr. Leachon’s preemptive releases of some information prior to official announcement and adaption jeopardized the communication efforts of the IATF and NTF and caused unwarranted misunderstanding between two entities that should be working together,” Galvez said.
Galvez did not elaborate how Leachon’s statements affected the coordination between NTF and the IATF.
To recall, Leachon discussed information in some of his media interviews about the IATF’s decision with regards to new community quarantine classifications of some areas before it was officially announced by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“He has been cautioned [about this] but remained deaf to collegial advice,” Galvez said.
Hours prior to the release of the statement, Leachon already announced in his Twitter account that he was no longer affiliated with the NTF.
“It’s with deepest regret that I announce that I am no anymore the Special Adviser of the National Adviser for Sec. Charlie Galvez,” Leachon said.
Despite the said development, both Galvez and Leachon said they will remain good friends.
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