Lacson, Gordon: Evidence not enough to blame Duque in PhilHealth IRM mess

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. (AP file photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — At least two senators on Wednesday believe that there is not enough evidence to prove the criminal liability of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in the allegedly questionable release of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds through the agency’s interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM).

“If I had my way…based on the three hearings of the Committee of the Whole, there may not be enough evidence to recommend criminal charges against Sec. Duque,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said in a statement.

“[This is] for the simple reason that like the other members of the PhilHealth Board, he had no hand in the illegal implementation of the IRM; nor was he involved in the procurement of overpriced IT equipment,” he added.

While he does not see enough evidence against Duque in terms of the IRM implementation, Lacson respects the views of his colleagues, who may “have seen it another way.”

“Since we are a collegial body, we always abide by the rule of the majority,” he said.

The Senate Committee of the Whole has recently recommended the filing of malversation as well graft and corruption charges against Duque and several others over the “illegal” implementation of the IRM.

Duque serves as PhilHealth’s ex-officio chairman.

The IRM is an emergency cash advance measure of PhilHealth to provide hospitals with a crisis fund to respond to natural disasters, calamities as well as other unexpected events.

Senators, however, questioned its implementation for allegedly favoring some private healthcare institutions, some of which are not even catering to COVID-19 patients.

Senator Richard Gordon, meanwhile, believes that Duque should not be blamed for the allegedly questionable release of funds through the IRM.

“I always want to be fair. It’s not popular to be seen as supporting Duque but he was being blamed for the IRM mess. In truth and in fact, he was never there. He did not participate, he was absent,” Gordon said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

Nevertheless, the senator expressed support for the committee report but said he would sign it “with reservations.”

“We must be seen as fair, we must be seen as complete but firm. If there are other things that they can charge him (Duque)  with, then they’ll have to come up with something,” Gordon said.

“In my view, whenever I make any accusations I make sure that I have a piece of paper that supports it,” he added.

Asked if he believes there was enough evidence to recommend criminal cases against Duque, Gordon said: “My view is no.”

“The man is besieged. He inherited a DOH (Department of Health) that is actually a snake pit,” he added.

Still up for adoption

Lacson said the Senate Committee of the Whole report on PhilHealth’s alleged irregularities, which was sponsored on the floor by Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday, is still up for adoption.

“May interpellation pa yan. Siyempre hindi naman lahat sasang-ayon sa committee report ni Senate President. Ang iba, may alinlangan sa ibang parte,” he said in a separate radio interview.

(There is interpellation to be done. Of course, not all will agree in the committee report of the Senate president. Others may have doubts over some aspects.)

Meanwhile, Duque vowed to clear his name as he assured that he would cooperate with any investigation on the matter.

“As a non-voting Chairman under the Universal Health Care Law, it is unfortunate that I was impleaded in the alleged IRM irregularities when I was not even present during the deliberation nor did I sign the Board Resolution,” Duque said in an earlier statement.

“This is not the best time for the Executive to have a difference with the Legislative branch, but two weeks ago I went to the Senate to shed light on the issues based on my personal knowledge,” he added.

JPV