Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s privilege speech questioning the inclusion of Tingog Party-List in the recently signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PhilHealth, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Tingog Partylist is not only misinformed but also troubling in light of his history and motives, a press release from the House of Representatives said.
While we respect his right to speak, we find it necessary to critically address his allegations and provide clarity on the matter, it said.
According to Tingog, the MOA’s intent is to address the dire gaps in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Its role in this initiative is not about power or control but about facilitating solutions for local government units (LGUs) to improve healthcare access.
Tingog assists LGUs in accessing financial mechanisms provided by DBP and ensures their participation in the program. It also provides fiscal training, capacity building and other initiatives to enable local government units’ access DBP’s credit facility. Its medical assistance programs extend additional support to patients in need.
Those are well within its mandate as a legislative representative of marginalized communities.
According to the press release, the partylist will not handle funds, manage projects, or encroach upon the functions of the Department of Health (DOH) or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). These agencies remain central to national healthcare programs.
MISPLACED CRITICISM
The statement says that Senator Dela Rosa’s speech is deeply ironic, given the allegations against him and the ongoing controversies surrounding his alleged role in issues far graver than a health program. His tenure as police chief under former President Duterte, during which the Davao Death Squad and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) drew international condemnation, has made him a “person of interest” in the House of Representatives’ ongoing investigation into state-sponsored killings.
The senator’s newfound concern for legality, ethics, and transparency in governance rings hollow. If he is sincere in his calls for accountability, perhaps he should first address the lingering questions about his own involvement in human rights violations before casting baseless accusations against efforts to improve healthcare access.
A QUESTION OF MOTIVE
It is worth asking why Senator Dela Rosa is so fixated on attacking this program, which is designed to uplift underserved communities. Could this be an attempt to deflect attention from the House investigation into extrajudicial killings during his time as police chief? His sudden concern for governance and ethics appears more like a smokescreen to distract from his own accountability issues than a genuine critique of the MOA, the press release asks.
A CALL FOR UNITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Instead of politicizing a well-intentioned initiative, Senator Dela Rosa should focus on addressing the lingering questions about his past and how it has affected the lives of countless Filipinos. TINGOG, for its part, remains committed to serving the people, especially those in rural areas who have long been neglected.
The statement calls on the public to see through this distraction and focus on what truly matters: ensuring that healthcare reaches every Filipino, regardless of political noise. Public service should always prioritize the welfare of the people, not personal or political agendas.*
