Ubial confident of getting CA nod

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial yesterday expressed confidence that she would get the nod of the Commission on Appointments in its hearing on her confirmation set today.

“I’m confident because my track record speaks for itself. I was able to answer all opposition,” she said in an interview.

Ubial noted that in the past months that she had been facing obstacles in her appointment, she has been drawing strength “from friends and colleagues who always encourage me forward and provide good inputs to answer all concerns and opposition.”

The health chief maintained she has also been relying on the support of her family.

“But most of all, my faith in God. I lean on Him in times of trials and uncertainty,” she said.

Twenty-one organizations and two individuals yesterday issued their statement of support for Ubial, saying that confirming her “would be the most concrete show of support for the government’s call to serve the poor.”

“Sec. Ubial’s track record in public health makes her a standard bearer for fulfilling the goals of the Philippine health agenda and in ushering in a new era of universal health care where those who have the least can have the most in health care,” they noted.

Among the organizations that signed the statement were the Philippine Government Employees Association, Woman Health Philippines Inc., National Department of Health (DOH) Employees Association, Ban Toxic, Medical Action Group, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, Action for Economic Reforms, Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., New Vois Association, Health Care Without Harm, Health Forum Foundation Inc., SariLaya, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation and Health Activists.ph.