Superman not needed to end PhilHealth mess, just uproot mafia —Lacson

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said PhilHealth does not need a 'Superman' to end the deep-seated problem of corruption hounding its system.

"Sabi ni General [Ricardo] Morales maski si Superman ang ilagay mo walang magagawa. Hindi ako naniniwala. Maski hindi Superman basta medyo smarty lang siya or hindi siya maco-opted, palagay ko magsa-succeed," Lacson said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

He reiterated that there could only be two possible status of Morales as PhilHealth chief right now: either he is hoodwinked or he already had his hands dirty

Sotto also shared the same thought on Wednesday, reacting to Morales' statement that even a superhero cannot resolve the alleged irregularities in PhilHealth.

"Tanggalin mo lahat ng corrupt

Asked if PhilHealth would be better off with a new leader, Lacson stressed that axing or replacing Morales alone would not solve the issue in its entirety.

"Mas importante ma-uproot ang mafia... Mukhang napakapowerful ng mafia doon sa loob kasi sila ang nagmamando eh," he said.

Lacson lamented that even those involved in previously investigated cases of irregularities have yet to be put on justice.

During a Senate hearing, PhilHealth Board member Alejandro Cabading and former anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Montes Keith tagged incumbent executive committee members as the mafia that allegedly pocketed P15 billion from the state insurer's funds.

The allegation has been denied and threats of legal action have been raised against the Senate witnesses.—AOL, GMA News