Ona smells politics in ouster

MANILA, Philippines - Finally breaking his silence, former health secretary Enrique Ona yesterday blamed politics for his being eased out of the Aquino administration.

“I’m sure there is politics there, among other things. I’m not a politician. Being a secretary of health is enough for me. I have absolutely no political ambition and that has been my solid position ever since,” Ona told The STAR.

He refused to elaborate but recalled having told a colleague that the Department of Health is a good jumping board to the Senate.

“DOH is a good platform, just like what happened to Sen. (Juan) Flavier. Health is very important and I believe that we really need a doctor at the Senate,” he added.

Flavier’s popularity as DOH secretary during the Ramos administration enabled him to top the senatorial race in 1998.

Ona said he opted to remain silent despite the various accusations against him concerning the DOH’s purchase of an anti-pneumonia vaccine and clinical trials for possible dengue treatment.

“I decided to be quiet despite the back and forth allegations. We are all under government, under the Office of the President and it is not proper to trade statements, especially in the media,” he said.

Ona admitted that he was being advised by some well-meaning friends to speak up because “the public is fed with wrong information.”

He, however, claimed feeling no rancor against President Aquino, who recruited him into the Cabinet when he was director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in June 2010.

“In terms of our position at the Cabinet, we serve at the pleasure of the President. I just cannot accept that many accusations are coming from my department – just because I’m on leave. And if the full trust and confidence (of the President) is no longer there, it’s best to give my resignation,” he added.

At 75, Ona said he has come to realize that he wants to spend more time with his family, although he is ruling out retirement.