House Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has praised President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. before an international panel for having the "political vision" to fight deadly diseases other than Covid-19, particularly tuberculosis.
This took place during a Washington Post-sponsored forum on "Ending Tuberculosis" last Tuesday, Jan. 17. It was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Arroyo, a former Philippine president, served as a panelist during the forum.
She reckoned during the discussions that having political vision was among the crucial political factors in the bid to end tuberculosis.
"You know, before I came here, I was discussing with our President, Bongbong Marcos about this session and we talked about many other things," Arroyo said.
"And when we talked, when, when the health authorities of the Philippines were speaking out, they said that we have to go back to pre-Covid levels in healthcare. But our new President said, 'No, pre-covid is not good enough. There has to be transformation,'" she recalled.
"And that is what I think, gives me optimism because there is political vision," she emphasized.
Arroyo said there is a need to "realize that we may have to shift somewhat from a Covid-centric mindset to deal with other important and essential health issues, including tuberculosis".
"So I'm glad that there is this session because we are focusing again on other things, other issues rather than Covid," she told the forum.
"And now, as you say, I was president then, many years ago. Now, I'm a humble congresswoman, but I am very inspired that since we are giving attention again to tuberculosis," added the Pampanga 2nd district representative.
Arroyo was the Philippine president from 2001 to 2010. Marcos assumed the presidency on June 30, 2022.