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Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s insistence on retaining her post despite widespread public distrust highlights a serious issue in transparency.

Guo, who has vehemently denied any links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and claims to be a Filipina, has not succeeded in dispelling suspicions.

Her media appearances have done little to alleviate concerns, with many still viewing her as a Chinese spy.

In the face of such widespread mistrust, the principle of delicadeza—or propriety—demands that she take a leave of absence. The erosion of public trust is significant enough that her continued presence in office hampers the effective governance of Bamban Tarlac.

The removal of her police powers is essential until these allegations are thoroughly investigated and resolved.

This situation brings to mind Dr. Tony Leachon's resignation as an adviser to the Department of Health in 2023. Dr. Leachon, who resigned after his qualifications were questioned, demonstrated a commendable level of integrity by stepping down, acknowledging that the controversy was distracting from the critical work of public health.

His return as a volunteer consultant underscores his commitment to public service without the encumbrance of formal titles that might bring additional scrutiny.

He even bravely clashed with government officials regarding the pandemic response, criticizing the slow vaccine rollout and emphasizing the need for quicker action.

Meanwhile, during a 2015 presentation for the Philippine Association for Government Budget Administration, Dr. Leachon disclosed his long-term affiliation with Pfizer, a major pharmaceutical company.

He served as its Medical Director from 2000 to 2011. His transparency about his connections stands in stark contrast to those who withhold such information.

Dr. Leachon’s candid disclosure of his past with Pfizer reinforced his commitment to transparency. This transparency also positioned him to push for vaccines by his former employer.

He commended the government for purchasing vaccines from Pfizer at the height of the different strains of Covid. “Finally, the government has made the right decision. Let’s move quickly. The Delta variant is in the country and this will help solve our high vaccine hesitancy,” he said in his tweet.

He was also not shy about posting on Instagram about visits from colleagues at United Laboratories Inc (Unilab).

Unilab’s corporate page states their goal and vision as working towards a healthier Philippines, one quality medicine at a time, which is commendable, especially with the formation of Ritemed in 2002.

Ritemed’s corporate page mentioned this as Unilab’s response to the government’s efforts to promote generics as an affordable option for Filipino patients, aiming to offer a portfolio of unbranded generic medicines with the same quality as branded ones to generate trust among healthcare professionals.

In essence, the trust of the Filipino people is paramount.
Officials, advocates, and activists who fail to disclose their true motives or financial backers undermine this trust.

Upholding delicadeza could be the first step towards restoring public support.

It also helps in managing situations where pretending to be independent from external support could be avoided.