Lacson sees hope in resignation of PhilHealth's SVP for legal sector

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday welcomed the resignation of PhilHealth senior vice president for legal sector Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr. who was among those grilled during the recent Senate hearings.

"His irrevocable resignation is one of many reasons to hope for some good things to come in view of the ongoing DOJ-led Task Force investigating the recent PhilHealth anomalies," Lacson said in a statement.

"The paying members and all taxpayers who contribute to the state health insurance fund surely deserve a break from the cyclical corruption involving its top executives," he added.

PhilHealth's legal sector is a "very ripe source" of irregularities, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra, who is leading the task force investigating the state health-insurer.

In announcing his "irrevocable resignation," Del Rosario lamented "character assassination, trial by publicity, and relentless persecution" that followed the Senate hearings, as well as the six-month preventive suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson is optimistic as he sees Gueverra on top of the situation and President Rodrigo Duterte's full support to the probe. He said this is something not seen in previous investigations on alleged PhilHealth anomalies.

"We can only pray and hope that the renewed effort will be sustained all the way to its logical conclusion," he said.

The Senate Committee of the Whole report is expected to be released next week. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there will be "no sacred cows" in its recommendations.

PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales may still face legal complaints even after he resigns due to unstable health condition, according to Lacson.

Sotto further said the Senate blue ribbon committee's report from its probe last year may even complement the fresh one to be released soon.

"Blue ribbon targets the regional vice presidents while the Committee of the Whole targets the execomm (executive committee) and top officials. We will finalize ASAP," he said. —KBK, GMA News