Two of the country’s largest medical groups condemned what they described as “irresponsible” and “unjust” social media posts targeting physicians, warning that such attacks damage public trust in the medical profession and undermine the work of healthcare providers.

In separate statements, the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) denounced online claims against doctors, including a viral post that accused a surgeon of “heartless treatment.”

The controversy stemmed from an August 8 Facebook post in which media personality Ramon Tulfo accused a certain doctor at the Philippine Heart Center of charging an excessive P85,000 professional fee, which he said was preventing his "friend" from settling his mother’s hospital bill.

Tulfo claimed that with assistance from government officials, charities, and the Malasakit Center, the balance would have been only P25,000 if not for what he described as the physician’s “very high” fee for a non-major leg procedure.

In a follow-up Facebook post on August 11, Tulfo addressed health workers, “especially doctors, whose ego I have pricked,” and raised several questions: “Why are there no clear, regulated standards for professional fees across medical institutions? What safeguards are in place to ensure that healthcare costs remain accessible and transparent? Are professional fees being properly receipted, and are taxes duly remitted?” 

“If I offended you, that is your problem not mine. I am not apologizing for voicing the concerns of ordinary citizens, especially those who are powerless in the face of skyrocketing healthcare costs,” he said.

Tulfo clarified that he has “many friends in the medical profession” who are “silent heroes” and “selfless in serving the poor” during medical and mercy missions. 

“Why can’t other doctors and nurses be like them?” he asked.

In its August 10 statement, the PCP said it was standing firmly with colleagues in the medical profession who dedicate their lives to caring for and healing patients.

“Every day, physicians across the country work with compassion, competence, and selflessness — often under difficult circumstances — to save lives and safeguard the health of our communities.”

The PCP expressed “deep concern over irresponsible social media posts spreading unverified information and unfounded claims against physicians,” stressing that such statements “not only tarnish the reputation of individual doctors but also erode public trust in the medical profession — trust that is essential to effective patient care.”

It lamented that the attacks come at a time when “many physicians continue to serve wholeheartedly, often sacrificing personal time and resources, even as some patients and institutions inappropriately reduce their professional fees.”

The PCP called on the public “to exercise discernment, verify facts, and respect the integrity of the medical profession.”

“Constructive dialogue — not public vilification — is the path to resolving concerns and improving our health care system,” it added.

According to the PMA, what doctors charge can differ based on the type and difficulty of the procedure, as well as the experience and skill of the attending physician.

“Each doctor has the right to determine the worth of his services rendered guided by a common relative value scale followed in the Philippines,” it went on.

The association said that based on accounts of services rendered to the patient, “the hospital charges and professional fees were within acceptable limits of ethical practice.”

“We therefore condemn the post to malign a physician who performed his duty well,” the PMA said. “He was singled out despite the fact that there were several medical specialists who handled this very complex case. Based on facts gathered the high professional fee in question was incorrect and was actually lower, the physicians even agreed to be paid with a guarantee letter!”

It stressed that the patient was treated “with utmost compassion and concern by the several attending physicians for more than 20 days,” and that the social media post branding their care as “heartless treatment” was “unjust and uncalled for.”

The PMA urged the public to “focus on promoting a supportive and respectful environment for healthcare professionals,” pointing out that doctors and other health workers “play a vital role in our lives.”

“You were treated and saved from near death to good health ready for discharge and you repay their kindness with public shaming!” the group said.