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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto insists Duque is liable in Philhealth fund irregularities

Sotto insists Duque is liable in Philhealth fund irregularities

Published Sep 2, 2020 05:05 pm

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III should hire a "good lawyer" to defend him from the possible charges that may be filed against him over the questionable fund releases under Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's program called Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM).

Sen. Vicente Sotto III
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Sotto gave the unsolicited advice as he maintained that the Department of Health (DOH) secretary should be held  liable for the mess in the state health insurer's program.

Duque, who concurrently chairs the PhilHealth's Board of Directors, lamented his inclusion as among the officials recommended by the Senate Committee of the Whole to be charged following its legislative inquiry on the "rampant" corruption in the agency.

He said that as a non-voting chairman of the PhilHealth, he said he had no involvement in the alleged irregularities in the IRM since he was "not even present during the deliberation nor did I sign the Board Resolution" on the program.

But Sotto, who led the committee's investigation, said this statement was an admission of his liability in connection with the fund's mismanagement.

"Siya ay chair of the board ng PhilHealth, kahit sabihin mong 'di siya nakapirma -- talagang 'di siya nakapirma dahil 'di naman siya voting -- pero chairman ka ng Philhealth (He is the chair of the PhilHealth board, even if you say he was not a signatory -- he will really not sign papers because he is not a voting chairman -- but you are the chairman of the PhilHealth)," Sotto said of Duque in an online interview with reporters before their plenary session.

Sotto referred to Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, specifically on the presumption of malversation which holds public officials accountable for public funds and properties that were appropriated, misappropriated or were allowed, "through abandonment or negligence", to be taken by other persons.

"Sapul na sapul ang posisyon nila doon (Duque's position is precisely that)," he said.

The Senate leader also questioned Duque's supposed ignorance of the PhilHealth's issuance of over P14 billion under the IRM from March to June despite the lack of legal basis. 

The committee found it "illegal and invalid", citing the admission of PhilHealth senior vice president for legal sector Atty. Rodolfo Del Rosario that the amount released did not comply with the prerequisites for publication of circulars and orders.

"Chairman ka ng board, ibig sabihin 'di mo alam (You are the chairman of the Board, you mean to say you had no knowledge about these)? The chair of the Board leads the direction and the agenda of the Board, so di pupuwedeng sabihing 'di mo alam (you cannot say that you were not aware)," Sotto said.

"Palagay nating 'di alam (Let's assume he did not really know), it is still not a good idea. I think Sec. Duque should get a good lawyer because he is practically admitting guilt to 217, 'pag sinabi niyang 'di nya alam (when he says he was unaware)," Sotto advised.

Sotto maintained that Duque should not be spared from accountability.

"Ano kaya sa sabihin ng mga tao kung hindi pananagutin 'yong chairman ng Board at Secretary of Health? Bilyones ang involved (What will the people say when the chairman of the PhilHealth Board and the Secretary of Health was spared? When billions are involved)," he said in a text message later.

On Duque's questioning of the timing of the release of the committee report, Sotto commented: "Now is also not the best time to improperly distribute public funds, hindi ba (isn't it)? Pandemic nga, eh, eh bakit nagdistribute kayo ng public fund na di niyo nalalaman (We are in a pandemic, why are you distributing public funds that you are not aware of)?"

Some senators have expressed reservations over Duque's inclusion in the officials to be charged for the irregularities in PhilHealth's IRM.

The Senate is resuming discussions on the Committee of the Whole's findings and recommendations. 

Sotto said they hope to adopt it as an official Senate report to be forwarded to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman for proper action.

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