Gordon shows a video of PhilHealth Region 4-A VP Paolo Johann Perez who allegedly received a “girl dressed in nothing” for his birthday party during office hours. Perez told senators his staff hired an artist, but he asked everyone to eat instead of watching the girl’s performance.

Senate Blue Ribbon Comm Chair Richard Gordon says “real mafia” in PhilHealth are the firm’s regional vice presidents: “Yung mga mafia diyan na tunay ay yung mga vice president… Nakapag-ipon sila ng napakalaking impluwensya… kaya pag lalabanan mo sila, sisiraan ka.”

Gordon says several PhilHealth VPs have been committing irregularities but still remain in office, with some occupying their posts for 22 years already.

Perez is among 8 PhilHealth officials tagged as members of an alleged mafia in the Senate panel report. 

In the report of ABS-CBN news, “These alleged “Mafia” are known to be the Mindanao Group, managers who have stayed in their respective positions, some for 20 years, and are known to have connections to high ranking officials in government enough to be able to sow intrigues that can result in kicking PhilHealth presidents out.”

“This is inimical to the corporation as efforts to reform the corporation are often left unimplemented when PhilHealth Presidents are relieved of their posts before they can even fully undertake such reforms,” he added.

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