“That’s life”, says Ubial of her rejection as health secretary

October 10, 2017

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial took in stride the decision of the Commission on Appointments (CA) to reject her ad interim appointment.

Sought for her reaction to the decision of the CA, Ubial said in a text message: "That's life."

The bicameral commission junked the ad interim appointment of Ubial after 13 members voted against her confirmation.

A few days before the confirmation hearing, Ubial said: "I leave it up to God. I cannot control it."

Health department spokesperson Corazon Flores said: "It would be understandably difficult to lose the momentum the agency has gained in its work under Secretary Ubial in the past 15 months."

Flores said the department is prepared to welcome Ubial's replacement.

"We are prepared to extend our full cooperation to whoever the President chooses as a replacement for Secretary Ubial," said Flores.

Several health groups expressed disappointment over the CA decision.

"Sad to hear about CA rejection of Sec Ubial. She rose from the ranks and she knew what the problems are on health. It's a pity that the DOH missed the person who could have led it to the right direction," Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Executive Director Maricar Limpin said.

"We just lost someone in the person of Sec Ubial, who has been staunch advocate of family planning and reproductive health. Now, we are back to square one," said The Forum for Family Planning and Development, Inc. President Benjamin De Leon. DMS