MANILA – The country’s task force against coronavirus disease 2019 advisor Dr. Ted Herbosa resigned as the executive vice president of the University of the Philippines (UP) after his “death by community pantry” tweet sparked criticisms over the weekend.
It was confirmed by UP’s President Danilo Concepcion on Sunday saying Herbosa resigned due to “personal reasons.”
“You have served the university with great dedication. In your service as Executive Vice President, you have shown how vital this position can be to the governance of the University,” said Concepcion.
Herbosa was sorry over his remark on a senior citizen’s death that was lining up in the community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin.
On Friday, he described the death as “death by community pantry.”
“I sincerely apologize for my tweet. It may have sounded like a criticism but was ill-judged when many are facing hardships and being helped by these kind-hearted souls,” he said.
“I support community pantries as acts of kindness. What I had intended to say was I object to violations of public health standards, which increase transmission of COVID-19,” he added./PN
