Manila Bulletin
Gordon denies De Lima cover-up claim, says she is bitter
Senator Richard Gordon refuted claims that his committee's recommendation to file charges against former officials of the Aquino administration was a tactic to deflect attention from current allies of President Duterte implicated in PhilHealth corruption.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Gordon, proposed charges against former Health Secretary Janette Garin, former PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla, and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for allegedly misusing P20.6 billion in PhilHealth funds in 2015.
Senator Leila de Lima suggested the report appeared to be a "cover-up and damage control" for Duterte and his associates at PhilHealth.
Gordon dismissed De Lima's statement, calling her "very bitter" and highlighting her imprisonment on drug charges.
Gordon asserted that he has had limited contact with President Duterte in recent years and has previously voiced opposition to certain administration policies.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Former Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad has denied the allegations of diverting P10.6 billion in PhilHealth funds, calling the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendation for criminal charges against him "baseless."
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Senator Richard Gordon stated that the Senate inquiry into PhilHealth corruption allegations did not find sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
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Senator Panfilo Lacson has not seen nor signed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report concerning alleged PhilHealth fund diversion, which recommends criminal charges against former health and budget officials for diverting P10.6 billion from the PhilHealth Senior Citizen Fund in December 2015.
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The Senate Committee of the Whole recommended filing malversation and other criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and resigned PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales for alleged improper and illegal implementation of the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM).
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The Senate has adopted a committee report recommending that former PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III be charged with alleged irregularities.
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