Controversy Surrounding Government Officials' Acceptance of Tobacco Industry Donations

According to a report from Inquirer.Net on August 12, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines continues to accept donations of mobile clinics from the Philippine branch of tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI), despite warnings and criticism from former senior government officials.

On August 1st, the Quezon City government posted on its official Facebook page that the DSWD has delivered a mobile clinic to the city for the "People's Laboratory: Laboratory, Consultation, and Medication" program initiated by President's wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos.

In the photo are Rex Gatchalian, the Minister of Social Welfare, Teodoro Herbosa, the Minister of Health, Joy Belmonte, the Mayor of Quezon City, and Gian Sotto, the Vice Mayor. Also present are Kyle Tan, the CEO of Eton Properties Philippines Inc., and Chita Herce, the Director of External Affairs at PMFTC.

The Quezon City government announced that the mobile clinic was donated by "LT Group, Inc." PMFTC is a subsidiary of the company, with both PMFTC and PMI International holding 50% ownership.

The media attempted to contact DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao to confirm if the mobile clinic turned over to the Quezon City government earlier this year was one of the three donated by PMFTC.

Philippines Department of Health spokesperson Albert Domingo defended Health Secretary Cabasa in a photo, stating that the minister remains steadfast in their stance on controlling tobacco and e-cigarettes.

The Ministry of Health has not received any donations from the tobacco or e-cigarette industry. The Minister has shown courtesy and goodwill to everyone who has invited him to take a photo. His stance against the tobacco and e-cigarette industry remains steadfast within the Ministry of Health.

Parents Against Vape stated in a statement on Friday that government officials accepting and promoting the tobacco industry's actions "have raised serious ethical, legal, and health-related concerns.

Its chairman Rebie Relator stated,

The actions of these officials and their accompanying support demonstrate what may be seen as a public endorsement of an industry known for its detrimental health effects, which is deeply concerning.

The organization is calling for a thorough investigation into the actions of government officials involved, citing violations of multiple laws and policies.

In February of this year, the legal services department of the DSWD recommended rejecting PMFTC's donation, prompting Secretary of Social Welfare Rex Gatchalian to seek the legal opinion of the Department of Justice in May.

The Department of Justice released a legal opinion on June 6 allowing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other offices to accept donations from tobacco companies.

However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized that this action does not violate the joint memorandum circular (JMC) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Health. He pointed out that the prohibition in the memo only applies to officials and employees, and does not extend to government agencies and offices.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice have faced harsh criticism from former government officials, who have called on all government agencies to refuse such donations and emphasized the need to uphold good governance through the proper implementation of JMC No. 2010-001. This memorandum aims to protect bureaucratic institutions from the influence of the tobacco industry.

Article 3.3 of the JMC clearly prohibits government officials and employees from soliciting or accepting gifts, perks, or donations from entities in the tobacco industry.

The chairman of the Health Justice Public Health Think Tank, Mendoza, stated that...

Government regulations should not distinguish between the actions of an organization and the actions of its officials or employees. Otherwise, if we accept the interpretation of the Department of Justice, who will be held accountable for violating government regulations? This goes against the principle that public office is a public trust.