Mon Tulfo defends viral post on specialist’s alleged P85,000 professional fee

Monday, August 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM

by Stacy dela Fuente

3 min read

Retired columnist Mon Tulfo defended his viral post criticizing a Philippine Heart Center specialist for allegedly charging a P85,000 professional fee to treat a poor patient
Tulfo urged doctors in government hospitals to be more compassionate to indigent patients, citing medical ethics and consideration for those who are struggling financially
He said the patient, a diabetic woman, still had a P139,000 hospital balance despite receiving substantial donations from various sources, including his brother Sen. Erwin Tulfo and several foundations
The Philippine Medical Association denied the P85,000 fee claim, but Tulfo insisted one party was lying and said he could pay the balance if the professional fee were removed

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Retired columnist Mon Tulfo on Monday stood by his viral social media post calling out a specialist at the Philippine Heart Center who allegedly charged a P85,000 professional fee for treating a patient.

In an interview with DZMM, Tulfo urged doctors in government hospitals to show more compassion toward indigent patients.

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“Alam mo kailangan ding maibunyag ‘yung kanilang paniningil ng malalaking professional fee sa mahihirap… Na kapag mahirap ‘yung pasyente mo, maging considerate ka naman. Kawawa naman ‘yung mga tao… Mahirap na nga, tatapakan mo pa,” he said.

Tulfo said the patient, a diabetic woman with a non-healing leg wound, could not be discharged due to an outstanding balance of P139,000.

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This was despite significant contributions: P100,000 from his brother, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, P50,000 from the Caridad Tulfo Foundation, P100,000 from another friend, P75,000 from the Malasakit Center, and P25,000 from Congressman Miro Quimbo.

When informed that the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) had refuted the P85,000 fee claim, Tulfo responded, “Nag sisingungaling ‘yung isa sa kanila.” He added that he could settle the remaining hospital bill if the alleged professional fee was removed.

Meanwhile, the PMA condemned the public shaming of a doctor-surgeon at the Philippine Heart Center over the matter.

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The association maintained that professional fees are part of medical practice but must be weighed against ethical considerations, especially for patients in financial distress.

The controversy has since sparked debate on medical ethics, professional fees, and compassion in public healthcare.

Mon Tulfo, whose full name is Ramon Tulfo, is a veteran Filipino journalist, columnist, broadcaster, and media personality. He is best known for his hard-hitting commentaries and investigative journalism, often exposing alleged corruption, abuse of power, and social injustices. Tulfo has worked with major Philippine newspapers such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, where he wrote the long-running column "On Target", and he has also hosted and appeared in various radio and television programs.

Ramon Tulfo took to his PhilStar Column and discussed the alleged P13.3 million-worth watch of Health Sec. Franciso Duque III. According to Tulfo's column, the watch was an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra watch. Tulfo said that he wrote about the watch on his Facebook account on April 6, 2021, after his previous newspaper did not use it in his column.