'Delaying pattern' observed in CSC delibs of cases vs. PhilHealth execs —Lizada

The Civil Service Commission's (CSC) handling of cases involving PhilHealth officials apparently shows a "delaying" pattern, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Monday.

During a Laging Handa briefing, Lizada said she noticed this pattern while reviewing cases lodged with the CSC for the period 2010-2020.

"May nakikita kasi akong pattern, ang office namin dito. Mayroong cases na ang jurisdiction dapat ay region pero iniaakyat sa Central Office or dapat naman nasa Central Office ang jurisdiction pero ibinababa sa region," she said.

"As to why, it will prolong or delay the procedure. As to who is favoring it, that's a question to us," she added.

Lizada also pointed out that some cases were easily resolved while others were left to gather dust.

"Mayroong iba ang bilis-bilis ma-resolve, mayroong three months, mayroong five months pero 'yung iba may mga kaso pa rin ho, still for action, wala pa ring action—12 months, 15 months. Walang action," she said.

"I'd like to get more evidence, look into the patterns to the regions po with the end result of crafting policies para hindi na ho ito maulit," she added.

Further, Lizada also questioned the propriety of a former PhilHealth lawyer who supposedly works in resolving PhilHealth cases at the CSC. She, however, did not mention any name.

During a House hearing last week on alleged irregularities in PhilHealth, Lizada claimed that CSC chairperson Alicia Bala gave guidance to suppress information regarding cases filed in the commission against PhilHealth officials.

The CSC, in a statement, denied the allegation and said Bala was just observing the "sub judice rule," or the rule that restricts comments and disclosures related to judicial proceedings to prevent prejudging on the case, especially those that are pending before the commission.

Bala, a former ex-officio member of the PhilHealth Board of Directors before the Universal Health Care Act revamped its composition in 2018, clarified that the CSC is handling only administrative cases involving PhilHealth officials and personnel, not criminal cases involving graft and corruption.

Lizada said she does not know the motive of Bala but she maintained her claim that the latter made the guidance to suppress information.

"Hindi ho iyon false, 'yun ay totoo. The records will bear me out, 'yung recording po," she said.

She added that the sub judice rule does not apply in cases under investigation "if it is done in aid of legislation" and that the CSC Charter itself allows the release of information on cases despite their pendency.—AOL, GMA News