Bong Go supports proposed budget of GCG; urges commission to review performances of GOCCs in support of the campaign against corruption

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Wednesday, October 7, expressed his support for the proposed budget of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG). He also urged the commission to review the performances of GOCCs in support of the campaign against corruption and in order to ensure efficient delivery of public services in line with their respective mandates.

Go cited that the GCG is responsible for monitoring and oversight of GOCCs and it has the authority to implement and coordinate policies of GOCCs.

"Ang GCG po ang isa sa mga nagsisilbing watchdog para sa ating mga GOCCs. The commission is in charge of examining and evaluating the performance of our GOCCs. Pag may underperforming at hindi maayos ang trabaho, it is their mandate to recommend the abolition of such GOCC," he explained.

Earlier, Go urged the GCG to conduct a review of the performance of PhilHealth and to assess the possible reorganization of the agency in order to address the reported systemic corruption and inefficiencies in the agency.

According to Go, the corruption allegations within the agency may already constitute grounds for the GCG to review PhilHealth's performance and may serve as a basis to reorganize the agency.

"Kaya nga po noong kamakailan lang, I urged the GCG to perform an evaluation of PhilHealth's performance to help determine the steps to be taken to cleanse the agency from corruption and improve its services to our fellow Filipinos," he reiterated.

"Naniniwala po ako na marami pong matitinong tao diyan sa PhilHealth, 'wag po natin hayaan na mahawaan ng mga bulok na empleyado ang mga empleyado na gustong magserbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino," he added.

He also warned those involved in the corruption allegations in PhilHealth, saying that their days are numbered.

"'Yung mga kampante na kurakot at gahaman, at alam ninyo aabutan rin po kayo. If I were you, I will begin counting the days, dahil aabutan rin kayo, makukulong rin po kayo," he warned.

As for its honest employees, Go expressed his gratitude and support for them. "Sa mga matitinong tao naman at mga empleyado, you have our full support po basta magserbisyo lang po kayo sa kapwa nating Pilipino."

He also reminded PhilHealth to ensure the proper implementation of the Universal Health Care Law which Filipinos need now more than over with the ongoing pandemic.

"Ang importante po, huwag natin pabayaan ang ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan, lalo na may hinaharap tayong health crisis sa ngayon," Go remarked.

"Kailangan masiguro na ma-implement ng maayos at matiwasay ang Universal Health Care at mabigyan ng maagap na serbisyo ang ating kapwa Pilipino pagdating sa kalusugan," he added.

To improve the management of the agency's finances, Senate President Tito Sotto III filed a bill which will amend the Universal Health Care Act and replace the health secretary with the finance secretary as ex-officio chair of the PhilHealth's governing board. Go gave his support for this proposed measure.

Go said that he acknowledges the efforts of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who currently sits as ex-officio chair of PhilHealth. However, he reiterated the need for reforms to be put in place taking into consideration the current situation of the country and that PhilHealth's mandate mainly deals with fiscal management related to healthcare.

"Finance Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez personally pledged to me that if he becomes the chair of PhilHealth through the passage of this measure, he will go after all the corrupt individuals within and outside the PhilHealth.

"Hahabulin niya po, lalong-lalo na 'yung kakuntsaba na mga nasa pribado na nakakalusot and I'm sure seryoso po ang ating gobyerno sa paghahabol ngayon dun sa mga nakakalusot. Mga ospital, mga pribadong ospital nagpapalusot at tuloy-tuloy," he added.

Urging government agencies to continue President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against corruption, Go mentioned that the National Bureau of Investigation continues investigating the issue of corruption in PhilHealth.

"'Yung NBI natin ay nag iimbestiga at talagang kinakasuhan nila. Ipagpatuloy lang po natin ang sinimulan na pagbabago ng ating Presidente laban sa korapsyon. I'm sure, heads will roll. Sa mga kurakot, 'wag kayong magpakampante dahil hahabulin namin kayo," he said.

He also challenged GCG Chair Sammy Dagpin to help the government cleanse GOCCs, such as PhilHealth, of corruption.

"Finally, it is for these reasons that I support the budget of the GCG. Competent itong si Chairman Sammy Dagpin. He's been there four years already, hindi niya po tayo bibiguin," Go said.

"I challenge Secretary Dagpin, tulungan ninyo po ang ating gobyerno para linisin po ang ahensyang talagang korap," he ended.