Look who is supporting Sec. Michael Dino

Last week, for the first time on my talk show, I discussed about the problems we have been having with COVID-19 with our good friend and My Health talk show host and frontliner Dr. Steven Seno. Today, thanks to the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Association, we continue discussing the challenges of COVID-19 with two frontliners working here in Cebu City.

So tonight I’m honored to have on our show, Dr. Albert Lim Rafanan, chairman of the Department of Medicine for Chong Hua Hospital; and Dr. Wilson dela Calzada, an orthopedic surgeon for the South Gen. Hospital. I’m continuing my advocacy on discussing about COVID-19 simply because Cebu City, which was shifted to a General Community Quarantine, has returned to ECQ.

So watch this very interesting interview tonight on SkyCable’s channel 53 at 8 p.m. with replays on Wednesday and Saturday same time and channel. We also have replays on MyTV’s channel 30 at 9 p.m. Monday and at 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.

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COVID-19 just took the life of former congressman and incumbent councilor Antonio “Tony” Cuenco who has dedicated his life to serving Cebuanos. I last had him on my TV show on Oct. 15, 2018 with Ernest Herrera. May we request our pious readers to pray for his soul.

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If you didn’t know, there are a lot more people supporting Sec. Michael Dino, like Dr. Isagani Jodi de los Santos Jr. a neurosurgeon who said; “I always call OPAV when I needed help for my patients and the hospital I work with. Not once was I denied by Sec. Mike Dino. I fully support him.” This was followed by another statement of support by Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Steven Yu. This was followed by Mayor Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City who said, “Despite all the negative comments and attacks on Sec. Mike Dino’s character, he has my support.”

Another statement of support comes from Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan who said, “From the very start OPAV thru Sec. Mike Dino has helped the City of Lapu-Lapu in its fight against COVID-19 and for that the city will be forever grateful. While we recognize the many criticisms from the people s to the role of OPAV has to play, now is not the time to disagree or work separately but rather, we should focus all of our time and efforts against the common enemy which is COVID-19.” This is followed by another statement from the Philippine National Police Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro supporting Dino.

In Talisay City we have Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas who said, “I feel sad that there’s a lot of strong emotion against Sec. Mike. I know him personally and I believe in his character and integrity.” Then there is the official statement of President Felix Taguiam of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. supporting our Cebu political leaders including Dino. Then there is Mr. Chester Lim President of the Philippine Retailers Association, Cebu Chapter.

This is followed by Dr. Pureza Oñate, Medical Director for Perpetual Succour Hospital who said, “As medical director of PSH in Cebu I could say the OPAV Sec. Michael Dino has been really working hard in this coronavirus pandemic fight… He is doing his best amid a good number of critics and wannabes. We request all Cebuanos to Unite and Heal as one.”

Then we have Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III president and chairman of the Board of Cebu Doctors Hospital (Cebudoc) who said, “Sec. Mike Dino and his office has been very helpful to us, private hospitals. For CebuDoc Group, he recently helped us transport our Nursing Staff from OrmocDoc in Leyte and SanCarlosDoc in Negros that will be temporarily assigned in CebuDoc to augment our COVID-19 workforce.”       

We also have support from Rep. Duke Frasco of the 5th District and another statement of support from his wife Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco of Liloan and President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu Chapter. Unfortunately we are running out of space as we inform our faithful readers that there are many more supporters for Sec. Dino than what former mayor Tomas Osmeña and Byron Garcia can secure with only 2,400 signatures. This is not to mention the Province of Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor and Leyte, Gov. Gwen Garcia and Mayor Edgar Labella.