FACT CHECK | Claim that Hontiveros hasn’t clarified her alleged involvement in PhilHealth anomalies is false

November 28, 2022 , 03:56 PM

This was translated from Rappler’s fact-check article.

(November 28, 2022) – A pro-administration netizen rehashed the claim that Sen. Risa Hontiveros has not clarified her alleged involvement in the anomalies at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

This claim is false.

CLAIM:

In a video, the TikTok account “Mr. Linog” accused Hontiveros of not clarifying the alleged controversies she was embroiled in when she was still with PhilHealth as a board member. It was made in response to the opposition senator’s remark that urged President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to be more prudent in borrowing funds.

“Hindi ka nga naghinay-hinay sa paggamit ng pondo ng PhilHealth na hanggang ngayon, ‘yung taumbayan naghahanap sa pera ng PhilHealth. Ang issue mo sa PhilHealth hanggang ngayon sa totoo lang walang clarification talaga,” said the video.

RATING: False

FACTS:

Several news media organizations like Rappler and Vera Files have already published fact-check articles that debunked similar claims.

In 2018, Vera Files published a story where Rey Baleña, the former corporate communications manager of PhilHealth, denied Hontiveros’ alleged involvement in the unauthorized release of bonuses in the state insurer in 2009, 2010, and 2014.

Hontiveros, one of the only two members of the minority bloc in the Senate, also denied similar allegations that she’s linked to the missing P15 billion that some officials pocketed from PhilHealth in 2019.

“Alam niyo, dahil siguro malakas akong kritiko ng presidente, wala na silang maibato sa akin. Kahit ilang taon na akong wala sa PhilHealth, (sinabi na) ng Commission on Audit at cleared ng PhilHealth mismo, aba patuloy pa rin ang pagpapalaganap ng fake news sa akin sa social media,” said Hontiveros in 2020.

To recall, the anomalous incident happened years after Hontiveros stepped down from PhilHealth when she decided to run for senator during the 2016 elections.

Just last month, Rappler disproved a similar claim that Hontiveros was ordered by the Commission on Audit to return more than P100 million worth of public funds.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

“Mr. Linog” has posted several videos that blasted the opposition. He also maintains a Facebook account and a YouTube channel.

His video on Hontiveros has earned 1,301 likes, 137 comments, and 59 shares, as of writing.

News5 and Rappler are part of #FactsFirstPH, which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.

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