Garin calls Senate blue ribbon report a ‘big joke’

Former DOH secretary and now Iloilo Representative Janette Garin said Wednesday the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report, which recommends filing charges against her, is a “big joke.”

Garin lambasted Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate blue ribbon panel, for allegedly using his position to go after her.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Gordon’s report is a big joke!… I see no point on wasting my time on recycled, baseless accusations aimed at diverting the real issues. Falsified and twisted statements from Gordon is not new to me,” she said.

“He has demonized me to the core, simply because I was a member of the Aquino Cabinet and refused to be manipulated by the Philhealth Mafia during my tenure,” she added.

In a virtual interview with reporters, Gordon accused Garin of diverting P10.6 billion PhilHealth funds to build barangay health centers and buy dental trucks, which supposedly had not been used at all.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Dapat mapunta ‘yang pera sa PhilHealth, binawi niya, inilagay niya sa isang project na hindi naman inaasinta ng gobyerno, so technical malversation,” Gordon said.

“Ganoong din si [former Budger Secretary Florencio] Abad at former PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander Padilla,” he added.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee noted that the Department of Budget and Management released P9.39 billion for projects requested by Garin on December 29,2015. Garin also allegedly requested P5.36 billion for the Barangay Health Stations project.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also read: PhilHealth president Morales to submit resignation

Garin calls Senate blue ribbon report a ‘big joke’

However, Garin, noted that the allegations against her were baseless.

“Kung totoong nag-imbestiga siya at hindi lang simpleng axe to grind ito, malalaman niya na walang basehan ang alegasyon ukol sa P10.6 billion na paulit-ulit niyang binabanggit,” she said.

“That money is part of the Unprogrammed Fund in the 2015 GAA (General Appropriations Act). Bago i-release ang budget na ito, may mga kundisyon na kailangan munang ma-meet o maabot,” she added.

Section 12 of the Special Provision of the 2015 GAA provides a share of the DOH on sin taxes when the target for tax collection is collected.

She explained if such a target is reached, the DOH could request the budget for the implementation of Universal Health Care, attainment of Development Goals, pursuance of Health Awareness Programs, Medical Assistance, and Health Enhancement facilities.

“Target, however, was not reached, hence no such appropriation was released. This is very clear even in the internal investigation conducted by PhilHealth. It is very clear that the alleged P10.6 billion fund is non-existent,” Garin said.