Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday accused Health Secretary Ted Herbosa of playing politics with the Department of Health’s (DOH) medical assistance program, following reports that his office was removed from the government’s hospital referral system.
Cayetano expressed deep disappointment over the sudden exclusion, questioning the motivation behind the alleged withdrawal of his office’s referral privileges.
“Just because ang tingin niyo wala na ako ngayon sa paningin ng Malacañang, tatanggalin mo ‘yung privilege namin?” Cayetano said.
According to the lawmaker, his office is no longer permitted to facilitate the referral of indigent patients seeking treatment at government hospitals.
“So yesterday, ininform tayo ng mga kaibigan natin sa DOH (Department of Health) na tinanggal na daw tayo sa system,” he said. “So hindi na daw tayo pwedeng mag-refer nung mga gagamutin sa iba’t ibang ospital.”
Cayetano further criticized Herbosa, alleging that the health chief has focused heavily on overseas travel rather than resolving critical medical procurement delays.
“Ang dami-dami niyo’ng pera, abroad ka nang abroad, Mr. Secretary,” Cayetano said.
“Picture ka nang picture kasama nung mga nasa vape, ‘di ba? O, tapos uh, flu shots lang, hindi niyo ma-bid, hindi makasama,” he added.
The senator called on the newly installed Senate President, Win Gatchalian, to launch an investigation into what he characterized as a partisan administration of funds within the health department.
“Senator Win, you’re now the Senate President. May DOH Secretary ka, namumulitika. Oh the ball is in your hands, ‘di ba? Pero papayag ba tayo?” Cayetano said.
Warning of direct action if the situation is not rectified, Cayetano threatened to bring the families of affected patients straight to the DOH headquarters.
“So kung by Monday (June 22) or Tuesday (June 23) DOH, hindi kayo mag-ayos, i-bu-bus ko lahat ng kamag-anak nung pasyente para mapirmahan niyo, para mapagamot ‘yung mga pasyente,” he said.