La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega has advised Cabinet officials to stay focused on their duties despite facing a barrage of complaints and accusations from individuals allegedly seeking public attention.
Ortega pointed out an emerging pattern of politically motivated allegations and “harassment suits” targeting members of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration.
The lawmaker specifically referenced the recent complaint filed against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. The suit accuses Recto of personal enrichment linked to the ₱60 billion fund transfer from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)—funds that were subsequently returned by the government.
“Sa public service, lalo na sa matataas na posisyon, hindi mawawala ang batikos, intriga at mga reklamong ang tunay na layunin ay guluhin ang trabaho ng gobyerno at sirain ang kredibilidad ng mga opisyal (In public service, especially in high positions, criticism, intrigue, and complaints will always be there, whose true purpose is to disrupt the government’s work and destroy the credibility of officials),” Ortega said.
“Pero huwag magpatinag. Tuloy lang ang trabaho at serbisyo para sa taumbayan (But do not be fazed. Just continue the work and service for the people),” he added.
The deputy speaker emphasized that allegations should not be equated with guilt, noting that accountability must always coexist with fairness and due process in a democratic system.
Furthermore, the Ilocos lawmaker stressed the importance of separating institutional policy decisions from claims of personal misconduct.
He noted that if the PhilHealth funds were legally moved, fully documented, and returned, official records and proper authorities would clarify the issue objectively.
Ortega urged administration officials to cooperate with legal procedures while refusing to let political noise distract them from their mandates.
“Ang pinakamahalaga ay hindi nahihinto ang serbisyo ng gobyerno dahil sa mga reklamong ginagamit para manggulo o magpasikat (What is most important is that government service does not stop because of complaints used to cause trouble or to show off),” he said.
“Sa huli, katotohanan pa rin ang mananaig, hindi propaganda at hindi paninira (In the end, truth will still prevail, not propaganda and not character assassination),” Ortega concluded.