Former Philippine National Police chief Camilo Cascolan has pleaded his critics to give him a chance as he takes on the job as the new undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH) despite lack of experience.
Cascolan's appointment in the Health deparment stirred criticisms from the public and the health experts, with the Alliance of Health Workers calling the move as "huge insult to our health experts."
However, the EX-PNP chief defended his appointment and maintained that his role is to help in the administrative and managerial functions of the department.
"Sana po ay mapagbigyan nila ako at kung anumang maitulong ko po sa Department of Health," Cascolan said in a radio interview.
[I hope they will give me a chance to help the Department of Health.]
"Hindi lang naman po sa medisina, siyempre, tulad ng sinasabi natin, kung paano magkaroon ng responsibilidad ang isang pulis o military dito po sa Department of Health. Ako po ay nagdarasal na sana ang aking nalalaman ay maibigay ko bilang isang malaking tulong," he added.
[Not just in the medical field but as I said, also in how a police or military officer can take responsibility in the Department of Health. I pray that all of my knowledge can be of big help.]
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. earlier said Cascolan’s mandate is to work on rightsizing, structural changes, and other administrative matters in the health department.
"Sa atin, kung anuman ang nautos sa atin ng Presidente ay gagawin po natin lahat upang matulungan po ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Siyempre, para po ito sa bayan," Cascolan said.
[For me, whatever it is the President orders me to do, I will do so I can help my fellow Filipinos. Of course, this is for the country.]
"At yan po ay pipilitin ko ang aking makakaya para ako ay makatulong o para sa ating bansa. Iisa lang po ang ating adhikain: yan po ay mapaganda at mapaayos ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino," he added.
[I will work hard to help our country. We all have one goal: to improve the lives of our countrymen.]
Cascolan was named as the PNP Chief during the administration of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. But he tendered his resignation after reaching retirement age of 56 on Nov. 10, 2020.
A year after, he was then tapped as the undersecretary of the Office of the President (OPS).
