Senator Richard Gordon exposed a PhilHealth nightclub video wherein a Philippine Health Insurance Corporation regional vice president received a sexy dance for his birthday.
“On his birthday, Perez received the gift. An enormous box in his office. A girl dressed scantily except for underwear danced and gyrated provocatively in front of Perez in the office premises,” Gordon, chairman of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said.
Gordon said Paolo Johann Perez, PhilHealth’s regional vice president for Region IV-B, did not report the incident.
“Perez enjoyed the performance and was seen smiling in the video. He did not prevent the incident, or report and issue any reprimand to the employees who brought the girl,” he added.
Perez confirmed the said PhilHealth nightclub video but denied that the female performer was naked.
“Birthday ko po noon. Mayroon pong hinandang program ang mga staff ko. Hindi ko po alam na may isang division ‘di sila nakapagprepare dahil busys sila so kumuha sila ng talent na kakanta. Hindi rin po totoo na nakahubad ang talent,” Perez said.
“Ang nangyari po noon, dahil maingay ang crowd di po siya nakakanta. Wala po akong alam doon, it came as a surprise to me,” he added.
PhilHealth nightclub video exposed
The PhilHealth executive explained he later stopped the performance and asked his staff to eat lunch.
The PhilHealth nightclub video expose was part of the Blue Ribbon Committee report on its investigation in 2019 about the alleged anomalies in PhilHealth.
The said birthday celebration happened during office hours in front of the regional office staff “with many shouting, as one could expect from a show in a nightclub.”
Perez could face an investigation due to the PhilHealth nightclub video for violation of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, the panel in its report recommended.
The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states that “public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill.”
Perez is among 8 PhilHealth officials named as members of an alleged mafia in the Senate panel report.
“These alleged “Mafia” are known to be the Mindanao Group, managers who have stayed in their respective positions, some for 20 years, and are known to have connections to high ranking officials in government enough to be able to sow intrigues that can result in kicking PhilHealth presidents out,” the report said.