Duterte orders probe of PhilHealth chief over trips

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will look into allegations that Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) interim president Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna made costly trips even when the agency suffered more than P8 billion in losses. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President’s goal of providing universal health care would not be realized if there is no cleansing of PhilHealth ranks. 

“I know this will be investigated by the President. Providing universal health care is a priority of the President and if he does not cleanse PhilHealth, it will not be attained. This I can promise: the cleansing of PhilHealth will really be given importance,” Roque said in a press briefing yesterday at Malacañang. 

But Duterte, he added, is also ready to hear Dela Serna’s side.

According to a Commission on Audit observation memorandum released last month, Dela Serna’s travel expenses to and from Bohol and Manila reached P627,000 last year.

The travel costs, which covered plane fare, terminal fees and hotel accommodations, were incurred in the same year PhilHealth registered a net loss of P8.92 billion, higher than the P251.5 million recorded in 2016. 

In an earlier interview, Dela Serna said all her travels were authorized and she had to stay in hotels because PhilHealth does not have a service apartment. She also urged Duterte to take some time to hear her explanation.