Doctors’ group declares support for Duterte

Former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (center) thanks a group of medical professionals for declaring its support for her father’s presidential bid. NICO ALCONABA

DAVAO CITY—Doctors’ advice: Duterte.

Around 300 health professionals on Thursday morning came out to declare their support for presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Calling their group DDS or Doctors si Duterte lang ang Sandigan, the physicians held a motorcade around the city’s main streets.

They were supported by dentists, pharmacists, nurses, medical technologists and medical representatives.

The group said it believed that Duterte’s programs on public welfare and public health showed his vision and capability as a leader and public servant.

“Beyond the tough stance, his cussing and indignant rhetoric, we see a man who only has the welfare of his constituents in mind and whose only interest is to serve the interest of the public,” DDS said in statement.

Former Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the presidential aspirant’s daughter, said she was thankful that people like the doctors voluntarily threw full support for her father.

Offers of support, she said, had made it easier for her father’s campaign.

It was the first time Carpio attended an event in support for her father. She said her participation in the campaign would be limited to Davao City only as she was also taking care of her sick mother.

“Thank you for coming out on your own to publicly declare your support for the presidential bid of Mayor Rody,” Carpio said.

“We need this, especially that the campaign of Digong has limited resources,” she added.

Dr. Bernard Chiew, a cardiologist, said they would volunteer resources to campaign for Duterte.

The support of the medical professionals was latched on Duterte’s programs that promoted good public health.

They cited the antismoking ordinance, firecrackers ban, ban on aerial spraying of banana farms, liquor ban, the establishment of Emergency Central 911, the Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center For Drug Dependents, and the Lingap para sa Mahirap, a program benefiting not only indigent families of Davao City but also neighboring provinces and towns.

The health professionals also cited the speed limit law that reduced road accidents, the institutionalization of programs for welfare of women and children and the protection of their rights, and the support to children with cancer and the elderly. RC

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