Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre 鈥擧ouse of Representatives photo
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The party list group of the wife of Speaker Martin Romualdez has withdrawn from a partnership it earlier forged with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) amid criticism that it was bypassing agencies more relevant to the initiative.
Speaking to reporters, Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre on Wednesday said the group had decided to withdraw from the Maalagang Republika Rural Financing Health Development Program 鈥渂ecause we鈥檝e seen that our participation would only detract from the program goals.鈥�
鈥淟ast night the officials had a meeting and we decided to take a step back and withdraw from the MOA 鈥� we leave it to the agencies to look into this as a solution, but nonetheless we remain committed (to the program鈥檚 goals).鈥�
Questioned by Dela Rosa
The project, launched early this month, hopes to address long-standing gaps in healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. Under the MOA, the DBP would provide local government units (LGUs) access to its hospital loan program, while PhilHealth will ensure timely reimbursements to these hospitals.
Tingog鈥檚 other representative, Yedda Romualdez, is the wife of the Speaker, who has had a falling-out with the camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte, especially his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Last week, Sen. Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� dela Rosa, one of the closest Duterte allies in Congress, delivered a privilege speech raising legal and ethical questions over Tingog鈥檚 participation in the program.
Dela Rosa alleged that the MOA bypassed more suitable agencies like the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
He also insinuated that Tingog was using the program for political mileage鈥攁 claim that Acidre vehemently denied.
鈥楶olitical noise鈥�
The party list鈥檚 role, Acidre clarified, was merely to assist LGUs in navigating the program through advocacy, capacity-building, and support.
The loan agreements, he said, would strictly be between the local governments and the DBP, and would adhere to stringent banking policies.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what is unfortunate with all the political noise,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven when you have a good objective, sometimes you really drown there. I hope we will be the last [casualties] of political noise.鈥�