ON THE heels of the controversial legal opinion of the Department of Justice , the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance is warning government agencies against opening their doors to the tobacco industry for their donations and support. In a statement, Seatca Executive Director Dr Ulysses Dorotheo said it is necessary for government agencies to promptly reject any attempts of the tobacco industry to give their donations and assistance.
“It’s inappropriate for government agencies to receive donations from harmful industries when the donations may influence how such harmful industries are regulated,' said Valera. For her part, former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the Philippines' commitment to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization should already be the end of any debates.