Go debunks Lagman over ‘partisanship’ in Malasakit Centers
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 04:50:54 +0000
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday reiterated that the Malasakit Center was established for quick and quality access to government healthcare services by all Filipinos.
Go, a former top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, refuted allegations by Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman that the Malasakit Centers, which he has advocated, was “a partisan tool rather than a medical outlet.”
Go said that when he was still the Special Assistant to the President, he presented the idea of establishing Malasakit Centers to President Rodrigo Duterte but has never used them for his personal interests.
“Nagkataon lang na brainchild ko ang programang ito. Ako lang po ang naatasan ng ating Pangulo para pangunahan ang programang ito. Inuulit ko: Hindi akin yan at hindi para sa akin ’yan. ’Yan ay para sa lahat ng Pilipino (It only happened that this program was my brainchild. The President has instructed me to lead this program. Let me repeat: That is not mine and that is also not for me. That is for all Filipinos),” the Senator said.
“Uulitin ko para sa ating mga kababayang nakikinig – pera po ninyo ito. Hindi ito pera ng sinumang opisyales. Pera ito ng gobyerno na dapat lang ibalik sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos na serbisyong medical (Let me retiterate to our countrymen listening right now – this is your money. This is not for any official. This is government money that should be used for your medical needs),” he said, stressing that the Malasakit Center’s goal is to simply provide convenient access to quality healthcare.
Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for government medical and financial assistance. At least 41 Malasakit Centers have been established nationwide.
During deliberations by the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee on the 2020 budget on Friday, Lagman asked officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for a legal basis as to why the government-run corporation was providing funds for Malasakit Centers.
Lagman also asked PCSO to validate the effectiveness of the centers and investigate them for being allegedly partisan. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL