Cabral: No offer yet to serve in new government

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral yesterday said she has not received any formal offer to serve the incoming Aquino administration, contrary to reports.

“It’s all speculation, I have not received any offer to stay as health secretary,” Cabral told reporters during the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

She said, however, that in case president-elect Benigno Aquino III wants her to remain in her post, she is very much willing to accept the invitation to continue her advocacies including reproductive health and the campaigns against smoking, organ trafficking and mislabeling of food supplements.

Cabral said the anti-tobacco advocacy campaign is in line with the international treaty on tobacco control, which was ratified by the Senate in 2005.

The agreement, which is now part of the laws of the country, provides for the display of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs to show the ill effects of smoking.

Uphill battle

Cabral admitted that the fight against smoking is an uphill battle because of the strong opposition from tobacco manufacturers.

Another program which Cabral wants to pursue is the regulation of herbal food supplements.

Cabral said she wants to create public awareness that herbal food supplements have no therapeutic effect contrary to what is being said in advertisements.