Rep. Garin dismisses Senate blue ribbon report as 'big joke'

Former health secretary and now Iloilo Representative Janette Garin on Wednesday dismissed as a "big joke" the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report recommending the filing of criminal charges against her over the alleged diversion of P10.6 billion in PhilHealth funds.

In a virtual press conference, Garin slammed Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate blue ribbon panel, for supposedly taking advantage of his position to go after her.

"Gordon's report is a big joke!... I see no point on wasting my time on recycled, baseless accusations aimed at diverting the real issues. Falsified and twisted statements from Gordon is not new to me," she said.

"He has demonized me to the core, simply because I was a member of the Aquino Cabinet and refused to be manipulated by the Philhealth Mafia during my tenure," she added.

In a virtual interview with reporters, Gordon said the funds were meant for the PhilHealth premiums of senior citizens.

"Dapat mapunta 'yang pera sa PhilHealth, binawi niya, inilagay niya sa isang project na hindi naman inaasinta ng gobyerno, so technical malversation," he added.

The panel report also stated that the use of the P10.6 billion "on uncompleted projects for political campaign purposes" stunted PhilHealth's financial growth.

"By diverting the budget, then DOH Sec. Garin and company put in disrepute the integrity of the Philhealth fund and derailed the march to efficient and reliable health insurance in this country," it added.

The committee noted that the Department of Budget and Management released P9.39 billion on December 29, 2015 for projects requested by Garin, and P5.36 billion of which were alloted for the Barangay Health Stations project.

But Garin pointed out that the allegations against her were baseless.

"Kung totoong nag-imbestiga siya at hindi lang simpleng axe to grind ito, malalaman niya na walang basehan ang alegasyon ukol sa P10.6 billion na paulit-ulit niyang binabanggit," she said.

"That money is part of the Unprogrammed Fund in the 2015 GAA (General Appropriations Act). Bago i-release ang budget na ito, may mga kundisyon na kailangan munang ma-meet o maabot," she added.

Garin was referring to Section 12 of the Special Provision of the 2015 GAA that provides a share of the DOH on sin taxes when the target for tax collection is actually collected.

If such target is reached, the DOH can request the budget to implement the Universal Health Care, attain Millenium Development Goals, pursue Health Awareness Programs, Medical Assistance and Health Enhancement facilities, she added.

"Target however was not reached, hence no such appropriation was released. This is very clear even in the internal investigation conducted by PhilHealth. It is very clear that the alleged P10.6 billion fund is non-existent," Garin said.

Moreover, Garin said that the premium payments for senior citizens were paid through the Point of Care System when there was still no GAA.

She said the DBM did not pay for fraudulent claims such as deceased members, those with no name in the registry, and existing members who were reenrolled twice or thrice, and illegitimate senior citizens.

"Dapat ang manaig ay ang tunay na committee report. Why twist the truth? Is there something hidden? Are there people being protected?" Garin said.

"Tuwing may kamalian, kakulangan o gustong pagtakpan na ibang issue sisisihin na lang ba lagi ang nakaraang administrasyon? Isisisi na lang sa akin?" she added.

Garin urged the public not to be swayed by "diversionary tactics," the old-school practice of pointing fingers, and political games.

"Panagutin natin ang mga humuthot ng pera sa PhilHealth pati na rin ang mga pinagkakakitaan ang pandemyang ito," she said.

"I do not know of Senator Gordon’s true intentions and why he keeps on pointing fingers at me. I do not know why he has to release a report ahead of the real Senate report," she added.  —LBG, GMA News