Charles Teves
Online trolls are now targeting Senator Risa Hontiveros after she spoke up about the corruption allegations against Philhealth executives made by former Anti-Fraud Legal Officer Thorrsson Montes Keith.
The suspected main culprit is PhilHealth CEO Ricardo Morales, who was recently advised by his physician to go on leave due to lymphoma and chemotherapy.
Keith said that various officials pocketed a total of P15 billion.
Propagandists, instead of criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte for refusing to fire Morales, have resorted to fake news and trolling in order to ruin Hontiveros’ name.
Hontiveros said that PhilHealth needs reforming and those corrupt officials should be apprehended because it is just wrong for the public to be exploited in a time like this.
Managot ang mga dapat managot sa loob ng PhilHealth. We really need to reform the institution.
Lalo na ngayong may pandemya, hindi pwedeng may mga masasamang taong pinagkakakitaan pa ang krisis na ito.
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 4, 2020
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy executive director Mocha Uson is still posting false information and Hontiveros called her out for it.
In a tweet, the senator posted a side by side picture of Mocha Uson Blog’s posts together with a Vera files article stating that Hontiveros was not included in the disallowance notice by COA to Philhealth.
Mag-focus ka sa trabaho mo sa OWWA imbes na magpakalat ng #FakeNews.
Kailangan ng tulong ng OFWs pero nagawa mo pang magkalat ng chismis sa isyu na pinabulaanan na ng COA at PhilHealth mismo.
Nakalimutan mong 4 years na kayong nakaupo? Si gitna ng pandemya chismis pa ang inuna. pic.twitter.com/TH5r8tUm8y
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 4, 2020
A former board member of PhilHealth, there are still accusations that she pocketed P1.7 billion in illegal bonuses. Facebook page Duterte meanwhile released false information saying a whistleblower confirmed that the senator stole P15 billion from PhilHealth.
Hontiveros pointed out that Duterte supporters still rely heavily on fake news to push their narrative.
THIS IS FAKE NEWS. Please help us REPORT.
Allegedly nawala ang P15b sa PhilHealth noong 2019 lang, ayon sa whistleblower. Kaninong gobyerno na ba ang nakaupo noong 2019? 🤔
4 years na itong administrasyon, pero turuan at fake news pa rin ang alam gawin. pic.twitter.com/OkKyFwrkR1
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 6, 2020
Hontiveros also wants the public to remember that the government’s response to COVID-19 was and still lackluster.
At alam niyo kung ano ang hindi fake news?
👉🏽 100k+ kaso ng COVID-19
👉🏽 7.3m Filipinos unemployed
👉🏽 palpak na pandemic response.Huwag niyong ilihis ang imbestigasyon namin sa Senado. Managot dapat ang mga managot sa korapsyon sa PhilHealth.
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 6, 2020
Overpricing is also an issue, and the senator wants that fixed asap.
Fully enforce anti-corruption measures so funds go to COVID fight!
Masisigurado ng AOB na standardized ang mga presyo ng mga gamot, PPE, testing kit, atbp.
Maiiwasan natin ang overspending & over-reimbursing para diretso ang pondo sa mga totoong nangangailangan.
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 6, 2020
Prior to her senatorial bid in 2016, she was already tagged in the disallowance notice by COA.
But a Vera Files article stated that former Philhealth corporate communications manager Rey Baleña clarified that Hontiveros was not included in the notice of disallowance.
“Former Board Member and now Senator Risa Hontiveros is not included in the subject Notice of Disallowance,” said Baleña in an e-mail to VERA Files.
The senator’s office clarified that the issue was already approved prior to Hontiveros’ appointment to Philhealth.
“Senator Risa Hontiveros is not party to the case wherein the COA has ordered the officials of PhilHealth to return P163.85 million in alleged unauthorized bonuses and allowances. The said bonuses were approved before Sen. Hontiveros’ term as member of PhilHealth’s board.”
