PINOY DOCTOR ACCUSED OF FRAUD IN U.S. FIGHTS BACK
MADISON, WISCONSIN (AP), AUGUST 24, 2008 (STAR) A Filipino doctor accused of defrauding a US military health care program out of $2 million nearly a decade ago claims his right to a speedy trial has been violated.Dr. Diogenes Dionisio, who ran a clinic near Manila, was indicted in 2004 on charges that he submitted fraudulent claims to the military’s Tricare program in 1999 and 2000. But he was not arrested until March when he stepped off a plane in the US territory of Guam, where he was beginning a family vacation.
Dionisio said in court documents that he had no idea he had been indicted four years earlier and was baffled when he was arrested and held in various jails for a month before he could speak with an attorney.
“That isolation and not knowing where I was going, and not understanding the nature of the charges against me, caused me much anguish and anxiety,” he said in an affidavit.
Dionisio’s lawyers have asked a federal judge to dismiss the indictment since US authorities never sought his extradition and made no other attempt to find him.
They say the delay violated his right to a speedy trial because his old medical records have been destroyed and he cannot recall many of the treatments cited in the indictment, making it impossible for him to prepare a defense.
Dionisio, 57, is accused of performing medical services for Tricare beneficiaries, submitting inflated bills and splitting the excess payments with patients. He is charged with participating in a kickback conspiracy and filing false claims.
Prosecutors say in court documents they did not seek extradition because Filipino authorities have rarely fulfilled their requests.
They argued the only practical way to arrest Dionisio was to wait for him to step foot on US soil. He also has not proven that his defense has been impaired by the delay, they added.
Dionisio’s case is the latest in a long-running investigation into fraud involving Tricare, which insures 9.2 million current and retired service members and dependents worldwide.
Federal prosecutors in Madison, Wisconsin, are handling the probe because Madison-based WPS Health Insurance is the subcontractor that pays overseas Tricare claims.
Much of the fraud has originated in the Philippines, where US military bases were located until the early 1990s.
In the biggest case, a judge earlier this year ordered a Philippine health care company to pay the government the $99.9 million it had stolen from taxpayers through inflated and fraudulent claims.
Dionisio said he was interviewed by US postal inspectors in 2001 at his clinic but was under the impression it was a routine billing review, not a criminal investigation. Prosecutors say he confessed during that 2001 meeting.
A judge is expected to rule on Dionisio’s motion in the coming weeks. If the indictment stands, his trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 27.
Dionisio has been living with relatives in Skokie, Illinois, since his release from custody in April.
Fil-Am couple builds GK village in son’s memory By Patricia Esteves Sunday, August 24, 2008
In their moment of darkness, the Gonzalo family turned to God for healing and channeled their bereavement to loving and caring for the poor through Gawad Kalinga (GK).
In doing so they found true healing from the painful loss of their only son who died suddenly in 2004.
“We weren’t angry but we certainly felt so much pain and sorrow. It seemed like a part of us was taken away,” Mrs. Gonzalo said.
Instead of wallowing in grief, the Gonzalos instead decided to help erase the pain through helping their poor and homeless kababayan in the Philippines.
Today, they are wholeheartedly devoting their time and energy to GK and Couples for Christ (CFC).
The Gonzalos, residents of Fairfield, California, are just among the hundreds of Filipino-American families who support GK.
To date, there are over 300 GK villages in the country sponsored by various Fil-Am and US organizations.
In their CFC chapter, the Gonzalos are avid fundraisers for GK and with the help of other CFC Fairfield chapter members, were able to raise $30,000 to build a GK village in Tubod, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
The village, called the JJ GK Village, was named after their late son.
Touched by CFC gesture
The Gonzalos came to know about GK when CFC members in Fairfield befriended them and offered condolences during their son’s death four years ago.
Soon, they started praying with the group.
“I really felt the sincerity of the group and I became curious on what they were doing for others,” Mrs. Gonzalo said.
As part of the CFC’s ministry, the group imparted to the Gonzalos what GK was all about and how it is helping the poor in the Philippines gain not just homes but their dignity and pride as well.
GK, established in 2003, is a non-government organization that offers a holistic approach to poverty.
The poor beneficiaries are given homes, livelihood, health assistance and education for pre-school children. The residents also undergo a Christian values formation program.
To date, there are now 2,000 GK communities all over the country.
The holistic aspect of the GK work was what appealed to the Gonzalos and soon they became more engrossed in the other aspects of the volunteer work and not just fundraising.
“I was so touched by GK’s message about helping the less fortunate,” Mrs. Gonzalo said. “It bothered me so much that when I went to the Philippines, I saw my relatives struggling economically. I helped and gave, but I could only give so much, so in a sense, I felt helpless. But with GK, I find my help limitless now because it’s not just me – I’m part of the community that gives and helps out unconditionally.”
She was further fired up to do more for GK when she got the chance to listen to GK father and champion Tony Meloto in one of his visits to the US.
“Listening to Tony speak was something else. He’s the driving force behind GK and just hearing his passion and vision was truly an inspiring experience,” Mrs. Gonzalo said.
Eventually after joining CFC Fairfield chapter, they became active members and attended a lot of events like the GK summit and CFC conference in Las Vegas. They were also delegated to become members of the fundraising committee.
The Gonzalos thought of holding a golf tournament among the committee members as a good way to raise money for a GK village.
“We didn’t really know what we were going to do as a fundraiser. Since Eddy and I have been involved in golf tournaments for about 10 years now, we saw how golf tournaments were managed and suddenly, I figured, ‘hey, why not do that as a fundraiser?’” Mrs. Gonzalo said.
Thus, the couple organized a Fairfield GK-Ancop Benefit tournament in 2006. Those who joined donated a sizeable amount and they were able to raise $30,000.
They were happy to learn that the Fairfield GK committee saw it fitting to name the village after the Gonzalos’ son, JJ.
They are also grateful to God for leading them to GK.
“In doing what we do, I personally have found healing and joy in giving to people who are in need,” said Mrs. Gonzalo.
“It’s the giving that’s rewarding because what you get is so much more and that’s my healing, and you don’t have to suffer a loss to enjoy that kind of healing,” she said.
“Don’t wait for what happened to us to get involved, you can start now and make a difference. As I’ve always said, it’s the who in your life that’s important and not the what,” she stressed.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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