Bong Go open to probing PCSO, PhilHealth ‘mess’; assures sustained operation of Malasakit Centers

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday said that he is open to conducting a Senate investigation on the alleged corruption issues gripping the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Go said the interest of the Filipino people should be put above everything else and those who committed corruption should be held accountable.

“Kung ano po ’yung interes ng tao, interes ng Pilipino, ’yun po ang mangunguna. Managot ang dapat managot (The interest of the Filipino people must prevail.  Some individuals will have to be held accountable),” he told Senate reporters.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week ordered the suspension of PCSO gaming operations due to “massive corruption,” while Sen. Panfilo Lacson has been claiming in interviews that Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III has “conflict of interest” in some PhilHealth transactions.

Go also assured the public that the closure of lotto, small-town lottery (STL), and other gaming outlets of PCSO will not affect the budget and services of Malasakit Centers, a one-stop shop established in 38 government hospitals nationwide where patients can seek financial and other forms of assistance from government agencies.

Impartiality

Go said he is willing to set aside friendships, as what the President always advises him to do.

“Managot ang dapat managot kahit na magkasama tayo sa gobyerno at magkaibigan tayo. Kung ano lang po ang tama. ’Yan po ang pinagbibilin parati sa akin ni Pangulo noon. Do what is right.”

Go, however, emphasized, that at present, he has no reason to pre-judge Secretary Duque.

“As chairman ng Committee on Health, I’m willing to investigate kung talagang mayroong katotohanan na mayroong conflict of interest, subalit I still trust Secretary Duque, until it’s proven sufficiently na mayroon talagang ebidensiya against him.”

‘Malasakit Centers sufficiently funded’

Go pointed out that enough funds have been allotted or released for the services offered by Malasakit Centers.

“Sa ngayon budgeted naman po ’yung operations ng pagpapagamot for this year.”

He added that other agencies are involved.

“Marami naman pong tumutulong sa Malasakit Center tulad ng PhilHealth, DOH, at DSWD. Sa ngayon po ay hindi pa po siya apektado. Tuloy-tuloy po ang tulong ng mga Malasakit Center all over the country.”

He said the current collections of PCSO will be used next year.

“Naka-budget na po ’yung pondo ng PCSO for this year. ’Yung mga kinokolekta for this year, ito po ’yung bina-budget po for the next year.”

PCSO medical assistance program still on

The Senator also said that while gaming outlets have been shut down, PCSO is still open for medical financial assistance.

“Bukas naman po. Wala naman pong nagsasara at hindi po magsasara ang PCSO (para) sa mga tulong medikal.”

‘Corruption’

The senator shared that President Rodrigo was prompted to order the suspension of gaming activities upon receiving reports of corruption from newly appointed PCSO General Manager Royina Garma.

“She reported na kailangan niya po ng tulong ng Pangulo dahil talagang hirap siya na sugpuin ’yung korapsyon sa PCSO at napakalaking losses na po ang nangyayari in the past few months sa operations of some games authorized by PCSO.”

Go added that he cannot say when the PCSO gaming operations will resume.

“Ang sabi ng Pangulo, mayroon namang possibility na babalik po ang operations, basta wala lang pong graft and corruption at mababalik sa gobyerno what is due to the government and what is due to the Filipino people.”

Anti-corruption crusade

Go added that the President encouraged him to look into corruption issues in other government agencies.

“Sabi niya, kung kailangan mong imbestigahan at kailangan mong silipin at may makita kang korapsyon sa kahit saang government agencies, lahat silipin mo. Magsalita ka sa Senado. Kahit na kasama natin sa gobyerno noon, magsalita ka.”