Cayetano vows to end corruption in country’s healthcare sector

MANILA, Philippines - Senator and vice presidential aspirant Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday vowed to wipe out corruption in the country’s healthcare sector and strictly enforce the anti-hospital deposit law if elected.

"Dahil sa gulo at korapsyon, walang maayos na serbisyong kalusugan ang mga tao," Cayetano said. 

Cayetano said that six out of 10 Filipinos die without seeing a doctor. In addition, he said, some private hospitals have a policy of not admitting indigent patients if they do not fork out the deposit.

As for public hospitals, Cayetano said, many lack the needed medical facilities and equipment.

"Ayon sa mga eksperto, six out of 10 Filipinos namamatay ng hindi nakakita ng doktor. Ang mahihirap, ‘di tinatanggap ng mga pribadong ospital dahil lang walang pambayad,” he said.

“Sa pampublikong ospital naman, sasalubungin sila ng kulang na pasilidad," Cayetano added.

Cayetano cited a 2014 Global Financial Integrity (GFI) study which revealed that the Philippine economy was cheated of $132.9 billion or more than P6 trillion in illicit money outflows from corruption in the past five decades, incurring losses of over P357 billion yearly on average.

Cayetano said, if elected, he would push for the full coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth), as well as the full implementation of PhilHealth’s "zero billing" services to members. 

Cayetano also vowed to put up more public tertiary hospitals in the regions, and ensure the full implementation of Republic Act 8344, also known as the “Anti-Hospital Deposit Law,” which prohibits hospitals to demand advance payments before admitting patients in need of emergency treatment. 

"Where the present government has failed on its promises, I will deliver. By cleansing the government of corruption, we will be able to provide our people better and more social services and programs like universal healthcare coverage," he said.

"This is part of the bold and swift solutions I offer to the Filipino families this election," Cayetano added.