Duterte says he will go after erring PhilHealth officials
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he would go after officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) involved in irregularities within the agency.
In a speech late Monday, Duterte threatened officials who would be found to be involved in corruption and told those who are “innocent” to continue working.
“'Wag kayong magkakamali itong PhilHealth. Sabi ko yayariin ko kayong lahat, maniwala kayo,” Duterte said, without mentioning any names.
(Make no mistake. I will go after you. Believe me.)
“Iyong mga inosente naman, wala kayong dapat i-ano, tahimik lang kayo at continue working,” he added.
(Those who are innocent, you have nothing to worry about. Just stay silent and continue working.)
The chief executive issued the statement as top officials of the state health insurer are being investigated for alleged corruption. PhilHealth is hounded by allegations of supposed pocketing of some P15 billion and alleged overpricing of IT equipment and coronavirus test kits.
“Nakalusot kayo sa ibang maybe president o ano pero dito sa akin, sadsad talaga kayo, maniwala,” Duterte said.
(You might have gotten away with other president but you cannot escape me.)
The president earlier ordered the creation of a multi-agency task force to investigate anomalies in PhilHealth. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the chief executive would not fire PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales from his post unless there is evidence he is involved in corruption in the agency.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate started their investigations into the alleged irregularities in PhilHealth. The upper chamber’s probe resumes Tuesday, with key officials expected to skip the hearing due to health issues. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. is facing scrutiny anew over more allegations of corruption.
It was in the headlines last year because of an alleged scam involving payments to WellMed Dialysis Center for treatments charged for a patient who had already died.
Follow this thread for updates.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation announces that the agency has released P500 million as partial payment to the Philippine Red Cross.
"PhilHealth takes exception to the insinuation that it is reckless and is playing on people’s lives. Its prudence in taking charge of its members’ hard-earned contributions is central to the state health insurer. Its exercise of judiciousness is to protect the people and their funds", PhiHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran says in a statement.
PhilHealth has released P50 million as partial payment to the Philippine Red Cross, PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran says.
"PhilHealth takes exception to the insinuation that it is reckless and is playing on people’s lives. Its prudence in taking charge of its members’ hard-earned contributions is central to the state health insurer," Gierran says.
The state insurer adds that it will expedite the processing of its remaining balance to Red Cross following strict compliance to government accounting rules and regulations.
Two committees in the House approve a report recommending the filing of administrative and criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales and other officials over the widespread corruption in the state health insurer.
President Rodrigo Duterte says the government will compensate the Philippine Red Cross for COVID-19 tests.
The Red Cross recently halted conducting tests due to the P930 million debt of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the conduct of COVID-19 tests for the government.
"I don't think Sen. (Richard) Gordon would have in his mind to stop. What I'm trying to say is we will pay," Duterte says in a recorded address aired Monday night.
The Philippine Red Cross will stop conducting COVID-19 tests chargeable to PhilHealth due to the state insurer's outstanding balance.
PRC says it will no longer receive specimens for testing of OFWs, those arriving in airports and seaports, individuals through mega swabbing facilities, frontline health and government workers, and others included in the expanded testing guidelines of the DOH.
"The PRC does not have unlimited resources to replenish the testing kits for its laboratories unless PhilHealth, its major creditor, settles its lawful obligations to the PRC," PRC says in a statement dated October 14.
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