43 resigned PhilHealth execs not yet off the hook – Risa
Sen. Risa Hontiveros appealed to the government Friday to ensure that all officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. involved in the alleged massive corruption in the agency should be made to face the law.
Hontiveros made the remark in light of the 43 PhilHealth officials who resigned as part of the reorganization imposed by its newly appointed president and chief executive officer Dante Gierran.
They resigned in response to Gierran’s Sept. 30 memorandum directing all senior officers from Salary Grade 26 and above to tender their courtesy resignation.
As far as she is concerned, Hontiveros said these 43 officers of the State health insurance agency are not yet off the hook.
“Kung totoo talaga ang layunin natin na linisin at ayusin ang PhilHealth, kailangan may hustisya, (If the goal to cleanse and fix PhilHealth is sincere, there must be justice),” Hontiveros said.
“Bawal ang (There should be no) easy exit from justice and accountability. Kailangan may managot. Hindi free pass from accountability ang resignation letter. Naniningil ang taumbayan at hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mistulang pag-tap out lang nila (Someone should be held accountable. A resignation letter is not a free pass from accountability. The people are asking, their move to suddenly tap out is unacceptable),” she said.
Hontiveros said there are no exceptions in the law and the government’s investigation should cover everyone, especially those who have been subjects of previous PhilHealth controversies.
“Ididiin ko ulit (I repeat): This investigation must be seen through until the end. Ikulong natin ang mga dapat makulong. Hindi dapat binebeybi ang mga korap sa gobyerno (Let’s put to jail those who must be jailed. The government shouldn’t be coddling those who are corrupt),” she said.
“While we do this, we must ensure that this does not lead to a paralysis of PhilHealth operations, lalo na sa gitna ng pandemya at marami ang umaasa sa PhilHealth para sa kalusugan nila (especially in the middle of the pandemic where many people are relying on PhilHealth for their health needs),” she added.