This refers to the Search for Truth column with articles entitled, “Corruption at PhilHealth” and “Corruption all around”, written by former Senator Ernesto M. Maceda and published in your newspaper on January 5, 2012 and January 7, 2012, respectively. Sen. Maceda claimed in both articles that “This is a major case of corruption under the Aquino Administration” and “The loss of P130-140 million in PhilHealth premium payments . . . is ample proof that the anti-corruption campaign of the Administration has not been taken seriously and deterred officials and employees from engaging in acts of corruption”.
We would like to clarify that the premium payment diversion scheme is plain old stealing perpetrated by private individuals who conspired with a handful of suspected employees of PhilHealth during the term of the Arroyo administration and the leadership of former Pres. Rey B. Aquino. However, it must be emphasized that PhilHealth as an institution and most of its employees are not thieves and corrupt.
Moreover, the diversion of premium payment scheme started in 2009 but was only discovered and stopped during Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration and barely two months after Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon assumed leadership in PhilHealth. Certainly, this is the “daang matuwid” policy at work.
Finally, inasmuch as Sen. Maceda has provided some information in his exposé, we would not like to pre-empt the on-going investigation on the matter. Nevertheless, we assure everyone that we will be transparent and announce the results of the investigation and that appropriate criminal, civil, and administrative charges shall be filed against all people who are involved in such a deplorable scheme.
We hope this clarification finds space in your newspaper.