Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre —Photo from his Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said on Thursday that he could not help but ask whether Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s sudden critique of his organization’s role in a new health project was meant to bury the extrajudicial killing (EJK) issue.

In a statement, Acidre questioned the timing of the senator’s privilege speech on the Tingog party list’s participation in an agreement with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), for the creation of hospitals.

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According to Acidre, the program is “designed to uplift” communities and local government units (LGUs) that need better healthcare services.

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“It is worth asking why Senator dela Rosa is so fixated on attacking this program, which is designed to uplift underserved communities,” Acidre said.  “Could this be an attempt to deflect attention from the House investigation into extrajudicial killings during his time as Philippine National Police chief?”

“[It seems Dela Rosa’s] 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,” he added.

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Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa questions the legality and ethical aspects of the agreement signed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and Tingog Party-list (Tingog) dubbed “Maalagang Republika: Rural Financing Health Development Program” durina privilege speech on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

Dela Rosa is one of several officials in the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte who were criticized for implementing the war against illegal drugs.

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As Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief, dela Rosa was responsible for Oplan Tokhang — the drug war campaign which was a portmanteau of Visayan words “toktok” or to knock, and “hangyo” or to plead.

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While many lauded the drug war for leading to drug dependents surrendering, it was dismissed by human rights advocates for being bloody and allegedly violative of basic laws. As a result, dela Rosa was one of the officials facing complaints before the International Criminal Court for the crime against humanity of mass murder.

READ: Bato dela Rosa urged to explain role in Duterte ‘drug war’ before ICC

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Dela Rosa aired his concerns on Tingog’s involvement on Wednesday, questioning the legality of the recently signed agreement.

According to dela Rosa, he is confused why PhilHealth and DBP partnered with a party list and not the Department of Health (DOH) — which has the mandate to provide technical assistance, consultation, and advisory services to stakeholders regarding health facilities regulation — or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Why did DBP and PhilHealth prefer to partner with a party list rather than the DOH in their MOA [memorandum of agreement]?  I want this to be clarified,” dela Rosa said in his speech, delivered in Filipino.

“On another side, it is also perplexing why the DPB and PhilHealth did not opt to partner with the DILG which has the mandate to exercise general supervision over local government units?” he asked.

Also, dela Rosa is unsure if Tingog could assist and coordinate with LGUs in ensuring their participation in the program, which intends to rehabilitate, expand, or construct hospitals more than both the DOH and DILG.

Furthermore, the senator claimed that it seemed healthcare was being left to politics.

READ: Dela Rosa questions PhilHealth-DBP-Tingog agreement

But on Wednesday also, Acidre defended Tingog’s role in the agreement, saying that the party-list would not lead the said project.

Acidre explained that the party list would only “complement the efforts of PhilHealth and DBP by assisting LGUs in navigating the program through advocacy, capacity building initiatives, and other forms of support.”

READ: Tingog to only help, empower LGUs in PhilHealth-DBP program – Acidre

According to the lawmaker, dela Rosa should just recognize the true purpose of the initiative.

“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,” Acidre said.

“Tingog Party-list’s participation in this initiative is rooted in its mission to improve access to healthcare, especially in underserved and rural communities. This initiative is not about power or control but about facilitating solutions for [LGUs] to enhance public healthcare services,” he added.

Furthermore, Acidre noted that Tingog would just facilitate and would not “infringe on the mandates of government agencies,” as the party list would not handle funds.

“Tingog Party-list does not handle funds, manage projects, or encroach upon the functions of the [DOH] or the [DILG]. These agencies remain central to national healthcare programs,” he said.

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“The MOA does not bypass these agencies. Tingog complements, not replaces, their mandates,” he added.

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