PhilHealth Vice President for Operations Augustus De Villa is unexcused from the Senate investigation on the alleged corruption within the corporation despite his recent resignation.
In the latest hearing of the Senate, De Villa allegedly tore a six-page document to hide the controversial overpricing on the information technology project of PhilHealth.
PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales said De Villa might have been under pressure with everything that has been happening within the corporation.
“Lalo na sa panahong ito (Especially when), we were subjected to a 10-hour grilling by the Senate. Talagang nalaspag kami roon (we really felt worn out),” Morales claimed.
“I think that added tension, and he said he wanted to spend more time with his family. I respect his decision and I’m grateful for his candor),” he added.
Morales admitted that even his family “is really begging” him to resign but there are matters to be straightened out in PhilHealth.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said De Villa “must have a very good reason for resigning in the midst of the controversy.”
“Resigned or not, the chair of the committee of the whole, SP Sotto has already issued a subpoena duces tecum and therefore, Gen. de Villa is under a legal order to present it to the Committee in the next hearing. I can only hope that he will be part of an advocacy group within PhilHealth and contribute in exposing more shenanigans based on his personal knowledge,” Sen. Lacson emphasized.
– Report from Eunice Samonte
