Dra. Minguita Padilla: The Eye Doctor for Every Juan’s Vision

Written By Frieney Josephine Pepino

This election cycle, Dra. Minguita Padilla — an ophthalmologist-turned-aspiring-politician — has chosen to run for the Philippine Senate (under the Ping Lacson-Tito Sotto slate) in response to the country’s poor coronavirus pandemic response. She’s calling out the unfair treatment of health workers and demanding a better, safer space for those in the medical field. 

Padilla is laying down her ophthalmoscope for the time being, and is now campaigning for change for our heroes in white coats and blue nurse uniforms.

In an interview with Fascinating Features, she’s letting us know that she isn’t just an eye doctor presenting us with the solutions to this two-year pandemic — she is showing that her vision for the Philippines is 20-20.

“Like” or “Dislike”

For the first part of the interview, Padilla chooses to ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ the following topics:

Female Empowerment - “Like”

“Of course ‘Like’, noh? Because I would not be here if I did not believe in women's empowerment. I am an example, I think, of an empowered woman.”

Divorce - “Neither”

“Divorce, okay … I’m a Catholic, and of course, we say that the marriage cannot be dissolved. However, there are certain situations where you can no longer stay in a marriage because it’s bad for your life, noh? 

“So we might have to have some form of divorce, but it cannot be that easy. So I’m neither ‘Like’ nor ‘Dislike’. I’m somewhere in the middle.

“But we may [want to] have something, but don’t make it so easy to get. There have to be real grounds … so it won’t be abused. But there are some marriages talaga [really] where you cannot stay in; otherwise, it’ll destroy your life.” 

Abortion - “Dislike”

“I ‘Dislike,’” Padilla says with resolution.

War on Drugs - “Good, but the style — I do not like”

“The war on drugs is good, but the style — I do not like.”

When asked whether it’s because of how it’s executed, she says, “Yes, [it’s because of] how it’s done. Because we need to fight drugs, but it’s the ‘how’ that’s important […] There are things that should be improved.”

SOGIE Bill - “Fine”

“The SOGIE Bill is fine. I believe in the equality of the genders. However, I also don’t want reverse discrimination. We have to treat everyone equally regardless of their gender or their preference. Even if you’re straight, diba sometimes you can be abused also?”

The Marcos Era - “I’m In The Middle”

“I lived through that, you know? The beginning was fine, the first few years were fine. But towards the end, there was [a lot] of abuses. So I would say overall … again, I’m in the middle. It’s not all bad, but towards the end […] there were so many abuses towards the latter part.

“I ‘Dislike’ the latter part, I’m okay with the beginning. It can’t be all bad, ha? It’s not all bad, there were some achievements, but there were also a lot of abuses.” 

Separation of Church and State - “Like”

“‘Like’ talaga [Really]. Kailangan [Needed].”

Sex Education - “Like”

“Yes, ‘Like’. You must have it, but the correct type, ha? The correct way. It has to be effective. You have to ask yourself if it’s effective.” 

“If You Were…”

Padilla at a campaign stop during the Lacson-Sotto’s visit to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.

In the middle part of the interview, Padilla answers questions that begin with “If you were.”

If you were given the freedom, what committee would you like to chair in the Senate?

“First of all, the Health Committee,” she says. “Because I believe it needs to be chaired by somebody who really understands medicine — a doctor who practices, noh? Private, public … Not somebody who’s never practiced. And it also has to be led by somebody who will not use it for political gains.” 

If you were a superhero, how would you use your powers to solve the country’s problems?

“The first thing I would do if I were a superhero is I would change people’s minds, especially government officials first so that they will not be abusing their powers and they [will] change their mindsets; so that they [will] not look at power as a means; [and] so that they will not look at positions as a means to gain money but as a means to serve.

“We start with them. I’ll start with the mindset of those in power [and] of those in the government, and the rest will follow.” 

If you were to win the election and become a senator, what do you think will be your biggest contribution? 

“Well again, my slogan right now is: ‘Kailangan ng doktora sa Senado, inaalagaan ka [You need a doctor in the Senate who will take care of you],’” Padilla says. “We need a doctor in the Senate. The last time we had a real doctor was Dr. [Juan] Flavier, DOH [Department of Health] Secretary Flavier. 

“As the pandemic has shown us, we need to have sound policies in health — policies which are not controlled by personal interests.

“So one of my biggest contributions would be […] to examine all the health policies of the government and to make sure that they are sound [and] that they are implemented properly. 

“And I also know things that other senators do not. Like I know what’s happening inside PhilHealth. I know what should be changed — what can and cannot be changed […] PhilHealth is essential if we are going to have universal healthcare and have what we have envisioned for us.

“So one of my biggest contributions would be [having] the point of view of a person […] who is not corrupt — and I know I’ve led my life with integrity — one who is brave, one who can easily [and] really voice out her opinions, one who does not think of power and position as a means to get wealthy, and one who knows what it’s like to be in the trenches [and] in the frontlines, and one who really understands the problems and issues of both the hospitals and doctors and the patients. 

“So I have a holistic view of healthcare, and that’ll be one of my biggest contributions so that we will have sound policies and somebody also who can guard against corruption.” 

If you were a ghost, who would you haunt and why?

“I would haunt President Duterte and Bong Go,” Padilla says and laughs.

When asked if there was a particular reason why she chose them, she says, “Well, they’re the ones in power. They are still in power and Bong Go is the most powerful in government, second to the president.

“And I think a lot can be done if they would just do the right thing with conviction at this point in our history […] They can do so much good and so much bad, even in this short time left for them. So I would haunt them and show them: ‘So this is what’s going to happen if you don’t do this. This is what happened because of this. So you better use the remaining time you have to do the right thing’ … I’ll haunt […] both of them.”

Dra. Padilla’s Prescriptions: A Q&A

Question: What are your thoughts on the current state of press freedom in the country?

“[Press freedom] seems [like] it’s there but it’s not. There is press freedom in the sense that our press can write a lot of things, but there’s also some fear. I know a particular station, for example, that’s been very hesitant to be critical of the current government because they don’t want [what happened to somebody else to happen to themselves], you know? So even if our Constitution guarantees it, there’s a lot of intimidation. 

“And we know that those journalists in the smaller towns, in the smaller stations, are really in danger, especially if they are hard-hitting. So it is there but it is not. It’s supposed to be there, but I know for a fact that a lot of people who dare to say very, very strong things about certain issues can find themselves murdered. So it is quite lacking.

“But may I also say, press freedom is very important. They [the press] have played a very important role, but we also have to guard [ourselves] against abuses by the press. Because I also must admit, we also have people in the press who are abusive and who are mercenaries. They will destroy you, they will praise you depending on how much you pay them. They will feature you or not feature you also depending on who pays them. It’s happening. There are the good ones, there are the bad ones. Let’s not fool ourselves.

“So there are good people, responsible media practitioners. There are also irresponsible media practitioners. For the responsible ones who are brave and tell it as it is, the Philippines can be a dangerous place to be in. Especially if they’re in the smaller establishments, sila ang nakakatakot [they are the frightening ones]. Because remember, in the things we hear, a guy is just broadcasting from his garage or something … and then he’s the guy who’s killed. Because there is not much security, they’re all very, very vulnerable. So yes, there is a lack of true freedom and I wish we had more freedom without fear. But I also appeal for more responsibility, as well.”

Misinformation is becoming alarmingly rampant nowadays, in this age where people believe that a few clicks are all it takes to trust what they are reading. Moreover, clickbait links spread faster than the coronavirus itself. Not only that, slanted articles exist, too. 

“There’s a particular [piece of] news, noh? You can present it in such a way where it’s true, or you can slant it,” Padilla says.

“And the slant is what’s very dangerous sometimes […] you end up trying to influence the minds of those reading or watching depending on who you are favouring, and that is also not good. So yes, things like that, they really happen.”

Q. Who is your childhood role model?

Padilla taking a lunch break at a meet-and-greet/optical mission in Bulacan.

“Actually, it was my father,” Padilla shares. “I was very close with my father. My mother, of course, I loved her a lot [...] But it was my father I was closest to. And he always used to tell me: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected in return. Remember that, those of you who have been given a lot in life —talents, wealth even; if you have [a] position, influence, all of that comes at a price.’

“‘If God gave all that to you’ — my dad used to tell me — ‘he expects a lot from you.’

“He was a brilliant man, but he was very humble and he worked very hard. He had very, very bad eyesight. That’s also why I became an ophthalmologist. I wanted to help him. 

“And yet, he became a Supreme Court justice. Ang tiyaga talaga, ang tiyaga-tiyaga talaga [He was very, very hardworking], and he was one of the most honest people in government. When he became a Supreme Court justice in 1988, and walang bahid talaga ng corruption [he really didn’t have a trace of corruption]. He served with integrity. And so all my life, I had him as my role model [from when] I was a child until I grew up. 

“Of course, he wasn’t perfect. Nobody’s perfect. He had his faults and weaknesses, but I looked up to him a lot. 

“Another one was Jose Rizal — ophthalmologist and writer. I really, really also learned a lot about Rizal because he was also [my father’s idol], so I learned a lot about his life. Later on, even as a teacher, I used to give lectures about Rizal’s life. In fact, I even wrote something about Rizal being an ophthalmologist. It has been published. So he was another role model I didn’t know personally, but I read about [him].”

Q. When was the most enlightening moment of your life?

“There are many enlightening moments in my life, but I guess it was when I had to decide what to do in my life, [which] was in high school. That was one major enlightening moment because when I was in high school — I think you still have guidance counsellors in high school, diba? They’re supposed to help you decide on what to do with the rest of your life [and] if you’re going to go to college or not. And if you go to college, what can you take? 

“And I remember my guidance counsellor in high school telling me: ‘You know, you can be anything you want.’ That’s what she told me. It [the advice] didn’t really help much, noh?

“I’m not making yabang [boasting]. I really could be anything I wanted, and I wanted to be so many things. I wanted to be a concert pianist for a while. I wanted to be an actress. A lawyer. I was even thinking of becoming parang like a spy. You know, very romantic notions of what you want to be. And so I didn’t know what I really wanted to be.

“And then I went on a retreat in Baguio with my high school classmates in my fourth year of high school. And really, I asked God only one question. You can also ask him one question in case you’re still deciding what to do in your life. I said, ‘Lord, what field should I be in? What should I become so that I can use everything, all the talents that you gave me to the max?’ That’s all. 

“And I said, ‘I’m going to sleep in my own room, I don’t want to sleep in my friends’ [room].’ Because you remember the retreats in high school, there’s laughter and drinking. I said I really want to stay alone because it’s so important to me. So I really prayed over it, and the enlightenment I got was to become a doctor. And for me, that was the major point in my life. And when I came down from my retreat, I told my parents I’m going to take up medicine.”

Q. With the government currently mistreating healthcare workers during the pandemic, what advice would you give to medical students who are having second thoughts about their career choice? 

Those in the medical field are the most essential frontline workers that a country possesses amidst the battle against COVID-19. However, the Philippine government isn’t showing them as much appreciation as one would like to see. Their hazard pays are being delayed and their wages do not amount to the work these heroes are actually doing. 

It also isn’t improbable that those who wish to follow in their footsteps are becoming discouraged upon witnessing such unfair treatment. 

As a frontline worker herself, Padilla gives her advice to the currently aspiring medical professionals. 

Throughout the pandemic, Padilla has been administering COVID vaccine shots at vaccination areas in various parts of the country.

“You know, to be a physician, to be a nurse, to be a healthcare worker, is a wonderful thing to do,” Padilla says. “It’s a wonderful profession. Because I teach — I just had to resign because I’m running — I’ve been teaching in [the] UP [University of the Philippines] College of Medicine without compensation. Many of us teach without compensation because the university cannot afford to pay all of its teachers. So many of us teach part-time, but no bayad [payment], just to give back. 

“And I always tell our students: ‘You know, first of all, when you enter medical school, it should be because you have a calling, you really want this profession. It is difficult. It’s already difficult even when you want it, and it’s more difficult if your heart is not in it. So is your heart in it?’ By that, I mean, ‘Do you really want to serve? Do you want to make people who are not feeling well feel better? Do you want to heal the sick?’ 

“By healing, I mean it in all aspects. Not just physical, but also emotional, spiritual, psychological — because that’s what a healer does. That’s what a physician does. That’s what a nurse does. You don’t just heal physically, eh. Many times, you have to heal them in totality. That is the calling of somebody who goes into the medical field. If you have the calling, go and do it. Otherwise, you will not be at peace. And it is among the highest callings and the best professions to be in.

“Because you never have to ask yourself: ‘Why am I here?’

“Because every day of your life you see your purpose: it’s to help others directly. 

“So do not let what’s happening now be a hindrance to you following your heart and becoming a healer. Kasi I’m telling you it is one of the best things you can do in your life. And as they say, hindi magugutom ang doctor [a doctor never goes hungry]. Although alam ko rin na [I also know] many healthcare workers have not been given their due, their benefits, etcetera. But, you see, they’re still there and they’re still doing their job because it comes from the heart. It’s different. 

“That’s why I’m also running […] We need to have people in government who will really fight for them. 

“So don’t have second thoughts. Do it, take medicine because it’s what you really want to do, it’s in your heart. 

“And to parents, don’t force your children to take up medicine if it’s not what they want. It’s very, very difficult. They’ll be miserable. Kailangan gusto talaga nila [They have to really want it]. 

“And it’s one thing the students have to pray over, and really ask the Lord: ‘Is this for me?’ Because it’s not easy. But once you’re there, it’s one of the most fulfilling things you can ever do. 

“So do not be afraid, continue with what you’re doing. And pray that people like me make it, so we can also protect you. This isn’t going to last forever, this maltreatment. It cannot last forever. We have to get to a point where we can treat our healthcare workers in a better way. That’s why you need people like me because one of the reasons I ran is because the healthcare workers asked me to run, among other things. 

“And of course, I prayed a lot for the signs — discernment, as you call it. And among the discernments, among the signs: healthcare workers themselves calling me up, pleading with me that they need somebody in the Senate who’ll really be there for them [and] champion their needs as well.”

Recommended Song: Somewhere - Barbra Streisand

Images from Dra. Minguita Padilla’s Website and Facebook Page