Initiate probe vs erring execs, PhilHealth chief told

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should still initiate administrative investigation of officials and personnel linked to corruption even if there are pending cases against them with the Office of the Ombudsman or with the courts, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

“It’s your obligation and duty to investigate administratively those with cases with ombudsman, as we are aware of the slow process in the ombudsman. So, cases filed are not prejudicial, they can be done at the same time,” Roque said, addressing PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales.

Roque also rejected Morales’ suggestion to suspend implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC), saying it is against the law. “This is against the provision of the law and the intent of those who pushed for its approval,” Roque said in Filipino.

He said the government is ready to use everything within its resources to make sure UHC is implemented.

Reacting to Roque’s insinuation that there is anomaly in PhilHealth, Morales said the presidential spokesman should pursue legal charges instead of reviving an old issue already under investigation.

“Suggest that attorney Roque be more specific and file the cases himself if he has anything, any evidence,” Morales said.

He decried Roque’s making allegations without naming names instead of filing appropriate cases in court.

Morales said he is willing to step down and give his post to Roque if the latter could prove his allegations.

He revealed that PhilHealth has submitted “voluminous documents” to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to support the filing of cases against 20 executives and employees.

“These agencies should provide update on the status of those cases,” Morales pointed out.

He also said there are about 10,000 cases against hospitals and medical professionals already docketed. “PhilHealth’s legal department is overwhelmed,” Morales added.

When he assumed the post, Morales said he initiated an automation of PhilHealth system to prevent corrupt practices, but the program suffered a setback.

“The IT system development budget of P2.6 billion intended to provide permanent and long-term solution to inefficiencies, including corruption, is in place. Implementation suffered delays because of changes in signatories as bosses got fired,” Morales explained.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s request for bigger budget has been rejected in the House of Representatives. Edu Punay, Mayen Jaymalin