Health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon on Thursday urged the new president and chief executive officer (PCEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to remember the agency's mandate — to protect the health of the Filipino people and to be a safety net in times of illness and crisis.

"It exists for the mother in the barrio who prays her child can see a doctor. It exists for the elderly man in the city who worries about affording his medication. It exists for every Filipino who dreams of a healthier, more secure future," Leachon said in a lengthy letter addressed to PhilHealth PCEO Edwin Mercado which was sent to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Calling Mercado his "good friend," Leachon urged the new PhilHealth chief to "lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and remember that the future of Filipino healthcare depends on your actions."

"It’s time to rebuild PhilHealth with courage, with transparency, and with a heart that beats for every Filipino," he added.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed on Tuesday, 4 February, Mercado as the new PCEO of the state-run health insurer.

'Long overdue change'

As the Supreme Court (SC), begins its oral arguments on PhilHealth's P90 billion fund diversion, Leachon stressed that Mercado's leadership is a "long overdue change."

"But today, with the appointment of a new PhilHealth President and CEO, we stand at a crucial crossroads. This is more than just a change in leadership. It is an opportunity to restore hope and rebuild trust in an institution that millions of Filipinos rely on for their health and survival," the health expert said.

"Dr. Edwin Mercado comes with sterling credentials, and while we must rally behind him, our support must be anchored in the expectation of transformative, principled leadership," he added.

A University of the Philippines-Manila College of Medicine graduate, Mercado also trained as an orthopedic surgeon at the Philippine General Hospital and at the United States.

With Master's degrees in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and global health delivery from the Harvard School of Medicine.

Mercado brings 35 years of experience in hospital management. He has served as vice chairperson of the Mercado General Hospital/Qualimed Health Network since March 2021, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

The new PhilHealth PCEO is also actively involved in health economics work aligned with the Universal Health Care Act.

'PhilHealth needs a leader with heart'

More than having a head, Leachon said PhilHealth "needs a leader with courage, vision, and heart."

"Leadership that is rooted not just incompetence, but in the unwavering values of honesty, transparency, and accountability," he said.

"Filipinos deserve a PhilHealth that works for them — not for personal gain, not for political interests, but for the health and well-being of every Filipino family, from the farthest provinces to the heart of our cities," he added.

The first 100 days of Mercado's leadership, Leachon said he hopes he could set the tone for a meaningful reform — where every action, every decision is guided by the singular goal of fulfilling the promise of the Universal Health Care Law.