Resignation of PhilHealth execs won’t get them off the hook – Belgica
PACC chief Greco Belgica (Photo from an RTVM video)
MANILA, Philippines — “Just because a government official has resigned doesn’t mean that we can’t go after him,” Commissioner Greco Belgica of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner (PACC) was quoted as saying in Filipino in a statement issued on Wednesday by his office.
He was referring to the resignation of Ricardo Morales as president and CEO of the Philippine Health Corp. (PhilHealth) and other officials amid multiple investigations into alleged corrupt practices perpetrated by a so-called mafia within the state insurance firm.
“No mafia can survive in the PhilHealth nor in any other government agency under the watch of the President,” Belgica said.
The PACC, he added, was consolidating reports and testimonies on the alleged graft and corruption not only in PhilHealth but also in other government agencies that he had mentioned on previous occasions — the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board, the Land Transportation Office, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Ever since the PACC was created, we have fully supported the challenge of the President for a clean government,” he said.
“Just let our office know [about corruption in an agency] and, if the evidence is concrete and once [the suspects] can be proven guilty, we will hold no one sacred. That’s the truth,” he added.
The Task Force PhilHealth formed by President Rodrigo Duterte would be “relentless” in going after corrupt officials until “all perpetrators can be put behind bars,” he stressed.
According to him, the PACC is authorized under Executive Order No. 73 to continue its investigation of resigned or retired public officers under its jurisdiction.
“In other words, resignation will not [mean we will] condone liability. Don’t worry. Nobody can get away. We will not tolerate anyone. If you become corrupt, you’re mine,” Belgica said.
He also repeated his “unwavering support’ to the President, along with Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who he said “also stops at nothing in their advocacy” against corruption.
“Mr. President, we are dedicating this last 21 months of our service with you to God and to the poor Filipino people suffering because of corruption and corrupt government officials,” Belgica said.
“We are aware that during the last two years of a term, sometimes, KKK na — or Kanya-Kanyang Kurakutan na. But we will pursue your mission — 100-percent support come what may. We will hit [them] with out best shot over and over and over until we can hit it no more. We will do this to build a better country and so that our children can be proud of what we have done and learn of our most daring exploits with you.” he concluded.
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