President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued a stern warning on Monday night to those involved in corruption within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
“Itong PhilHealth. Sabi ko yayariin ko kayong lahat. Maniwala kayo. Iyong mga inosente naman, wala kayong dapat i-ano, tahimik lang kayo at continue working (This PhilHealth, I am telling you, you will all be held accountable. Believe me. Those who are innocent, you have nothing [to worry about], just be quiet and continue working),” President Duterte reproved.
“Pero iyong… Ngayon ito, nakalusot kayo sa ibang maybe presidente o ano pero dito sa akin, sadsad talaga kayo (But those who managed to dodge maybe under some presidents or whatever, you will really be held accountable under me),” he added.
President Duterte said no less than three agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Commission on Audit (COA), and the Office of the Ombudsman, are monitoring PhilHealth.
President Duterte earlier ordered the creation of a task force led by the DOJ to probe the corporation.
“Ipakulong ko talaga itong mga p***** i**** ito pati itong sa PhilHealth. Mababawi ko ‘yon… Then sa COA, I will get the true figures. Kasali ang COA, so tatlo ‘yan sila… (I will put them behind bars, including those in PhilHealth. I will recover it… Then I will get the figures from COA, there are three of them). And you have Bong Go, Senator Bong Go here, who is a crusader,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Chief Executive is still waiting for the result of different investigations on PhilHealth.
“Alam niyo ang sinasabi ni Presidente, kilala niya bilang isang marangal na sundalo itong si General Morales. Nais niyang makita ang ebidensya (The President said he knows Gen. Morales as an honorable soldier. He wants to see the evidence),” Roque stated.
Roque added that the Chief Executive has not yet mentioned designating a new president of the corporation. “The President wishes President Morales speedy recovery. Iyon lang po (that’s it). ‘Di naman po niya didiinan ang taong nagsasabi na merong malubhang karamdaman (He will not press those who say they have serious illness).” – Report from Mela Lesmoras
