Former DoH chief hits back at critics in PhilHealth controversy

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
FORMER Health secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin insisted the P10.6-billion fund transferred to the Department of Health (DoH) in 2015 is “non-existent.”
“There is no PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance, Corp.) money (that is) P10.6 (billion) unprogrammed fund. In fact the unprogrammed fund is for the DoH, if there is excess tax collection, it is not earmarked for PhilHealth,” Ms. Garin said on Thursday in a press briefing.
The statement followed a joint congressional hearing on the national health insurance, where it was alleged that Ms. Garin and former PhilHealth president Alexander A. Padilla diverted the fund meant for senior citizens.
The former health chief also challenged her accusers to file the cases against her, confident that she can prove otherwise.
“Kung merong kaso, i-file na. (If there is a case, file it.) I am confident that I will be vindicated in the proper court. Kaya kung may kaso, i-file na, wag na sayangin sa PR (Press Release). ‘Wag nang sayangin ang pera ng bayan sa tuluy-tuloy na congressional hearing. (If there are cases, file it. Don’t waste it on press releases, don’t waste the people’s money on congressional hearings),” Ms. Garin said.
PhilHealth has already charged Ms. Garin and Mr. Padilla with graft before the Office of the Ombudsman as early as March 27. A copy of the complaint released to the media only recently. The complaint was filed by PhilHealth interim president and CEO Dr. Celestina Ma. Jude P. de La Serna.
The complaint also claimed the defendants “knowingly and deliberately (caused) undue injury to PhilHealth… by diverting the P10.6 billion fund intended for senior citizens premium for CY 2015 to the Department of Health Health Facilities Enhancement Program) without prior consent or approval by PhilHealth Board of Directors.”
Ms. Garin said PHilHealth should be subjected to an “external independent audit team.”
“Busisiin ang PhilHealth, tingnan po natin kung ano ang tinatago nila. Bakit ipinipilit na ibinibintang sa past administration? (Investigate PhilHealth, Let’s see if they’re hiding anything. Why are they blaming the past administration?)” she said.
She added that her accusers are trying to gain favor in the Duterte administration.
“Nakakalungkot man sabihin ginagamit ang senior citizen, ginagamit ang PhilHealth para magkaroon ng platform ‘yung ibang nag-aambisyong ma-appoint ni Pangulong (Rodrigo R.) Duterte. (Sadly, senior citizens, the PhilHealth are being used as a platform by those seeking to be appointed by President [Rodrigo R.] Durterte),” she said.