Ombudsman Samuel Martires received praises from President Rodrigo Duterte praised for enabling efficient investigations on corruption cases involving Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
“I find Martires a very reasonable man, pero ‘yung naglabas ‘yung PhilHealth na sunod sunod sabi ko na, (but when cases involving PhilHealth came out, I said,) ‘Well I think he is also really trying his best to help us,'” said Duterte during his weekly address aired late Monday night.
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of 13 PhilHealth officials, an action from an old complaint, while investigations into corruption allegations within the state health insurance firm were ongoing.
Last week, Duterte approved the recommendation of the Department of Justice-led investigating task force to file complaints against PhilHealth officials involved in the early disbursement of cash advances to COVID-19 patients.
The president’s remarks came after the Ombudsman declared new restrictions on the public’s access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of government officials.
“I do not know him. But if that is the kind of reception we get from him, it’s a matter of human niceties. I’d like to thank you for that. We need that kind of relationship with the Ombudsman,” stressed Duterte.
