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Gordon says evidence lacking vs Duque in PhilHealth mess

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/02/20200829-ntf-code-team-visit-qc-gc-2587.jpg"/><figcaption>Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III speaks at an event in Quezon City on Aug. 29, 2020. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Sen. Richard Gordon said Wednesday a Senate inquiry into the alleged corruption inside the state medical insurer did not find enough evidence for the filing of criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, contrary to a committee report.</p><p>The Senate Committee of the Whole on Tuesday recommended <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/20/senate-recommends-filing-of-malversation-graft-charges-vs-duque-philhealth-officials" target="_blank">malversation and graft</a> charges against Duque and other officials for PhilHealth&#x27;s interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) that released funds to supposedly favored hospitals.</p><p>Gordon said he supported the committee&#x27;s report “with reservations,” particularly on the recommended charges against Duque, who is chairman of the PhilHealth board.</p><p>&quot;I always want to be fair. It’s not popular to be seen as supporting Duque… [However], he was never there. He did not participate [in the IRM], he was absent,&quot; said Gordon, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.</p><p>&quot;If there are other things that they can charge him with, then they’ll have to come up with something. In my view, whenever I make accusations, I make sure that I have a piece of paper that supports it,&quot; he told ANC.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ewFhNob_huY?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Asked to clarify if there was enough evidence against Duque, Gordon said, &quot;No.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The man is totally besieged. He inherited a DOH that is actually a snake pit... There are certain people within PhilHealth that really favored certain hospitals,&quot; said the lawmaker.</p><p>The alleged mafia involved in fraud in PhilHealth is “composed of regional vice presidents all over the country and people in the upper echelons,” he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/13/20/philhealth-denies-favoring-davao-hospital-that-got-biggest-share-of-irm-funds">PhilHealth denies favoring Davao hospital that got biggest share of IRM funds</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/20/philhealth-corruption-probe-should-focus-on-hospitals-ex-boss">PhilHealth corruption probe should focus on hospitals: ex-boss</a></li></ul><p>Gordon said he would make a manifestation on the Senate floor later Wednesday about his reservations on the proposed charges against Duque.</p>

<p>Sen. Richard Gordon said Wednesday a Senate inquiry into the alleged corruption inside the state medical insurer did not find enough evidence for the filing of criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, contrary to a committee report.</p>

Sen. Richard Gordon said Wednesday a Senate inquiry into the alleged corruption inside the state medical insurer did not find enough evidence for the filing of criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, contrary to a committee report.