Senatorial bets Hontiveros, Ejercito highlight better healthcare services in platform

SENATOR Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who is seeking reelection in May, on Wednesday said better public health services will be among her main legislative agenda.

“I promise you, I will continue to propose laws to strengthen and support our health care system,” she said as she launched her campaign through a proclamation rally in Bacacay, Albay, the hometown of her late husband. 

Ms. Hontiveros said overall platform will revolve around fighting corruption and pushing for laws that promote healthy life and livelihood for Filipinos.

“We don’t want thieves. Imagine, in the middle of the pandemic, there are people who have no conscience and are mercilessly profiting from the suffering of many,” she said in a statement in Filipino. 

“We don’t like cheaters and swindlers so we fight that and of course, we will continue to do so,” she added, noting her past efforts in uncovering corruption in the Bureau of Immigration, and the alleged overpricing of pandemic supplies that was investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

EJERCITO
Meanwhile, former senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito, who is seeking a comeback in the upper chamber, said in an interview with CNN Philippines that if he wins, he will push for improved delivery of the Universal Health Care law, a measure he previously sponsored. 

There needs to be proper implementation, he said, adding that the government’s current operations “could have been better.” 

He believes that as one of the lawmakers who studied and pushed for the bill’s passage, he would know the appropriate funding requirement that should be included in the government’s annual budget.

He also said financial experts should be hired to solve the issues surrounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

He also said that the state-owned insurer is not solely at fault for the delay in releasing payments to medical institutions as insurance claim scams are also prevalent.

Somebody has to be prosecuted, Mr. Ejercito said, to ensure that illegal practices are prevented and PhilHealth funds are used efficiently. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan