
Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday expressed his dismay as he reminded President Rodrigo Duterte of his vow to fire officials over a “whiff of corruption,” after Duterte refused to fire PhilHealth’s chief despite numerous allegations of irregularities within the agency.
“Sabi niya (Duterte) kasi noong araw, just a whiff of corruption—‘pag sinabi mong whiff, makaamoy ka lang—you’re fired,” the senator told ANC.
[Duterte previously said even just a whiff of corruption, then you’re fired.]
Lacson emphasized that he is not questioning the President’s discretion in appointing and sacking officials, however he noted that hearing such news in the middle of a pandemic is “shocking” for the people.
“Of course, we do not question the authority of the President. Iyong hire-and-fire authority is always there, it’s his discretion… Pero ‘pag ganito namang may pandemya na pagkatapos ganyan ang maririnig natin, ewan ko kung hindi kayo ma-shock ,” he said.
[But if there is already a pandemic and we hear something like that, I don’t know why you wouldn’t be shocked.]
Morales, a former Army general, has denied the allegations of a “mafia” operating within PhilHealth to pocket absurd amounts of funds.
The President will not fire the PhilHealth chief “unless there’s evidence,” spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday.
“It goes without saying: I am disappointed,” Lacson said. “Do some remedial measures.”