The Senate investigation on the alleged anomalies within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will proceed despite the lockdown at the Upper Chamber.
“‘Di na magtatagal maging bangkarote ang PhilHealth because of mismanagement, and not only mismanagement, but also reports of corruption. Sila-sila lang iyong nakakaalam (PhilHealth will go bankrupt due to mismanagement, and not only mismanagement, but also reports of corruption. Only they know),” Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed.
Three issues will be covered tomorrow, including the controversial interim reimbursement mechanism of PhilHealth, financial statements, and the alleged overpricing in the procurement of equipment.
“Three of them nag-sound off. Sabi nila gusto nila mag-testify (Three of them have sounded off. They said they want to testify) against anomalies inside the PhilHealth. Actually matagal na rin nakikiusap ang iba sa kanila kung pwedeng maimbestigahan ng Senate kasi (they have long been asking me for a Senate probe because) they feel so powerless that PhilHealth is very much controlled by the Mafia,” Lacson disclosed.
Aside from the alleged mafia, billions worth of public funds will also be tackled.
“For example iyong sa Bicol 2 weeks’ time nareleasan ng 247 million iyong 3 lamang hospitals. In Region 8, 2 hospital nareleasan ng 196 million in a matter of 1 week. So ito iyong gusto nilang malaman, ano ang naging basis ng pagpili ng mga hospital (An example is the case in Bicol wherein 247 million was released to 3 hospitals in 2 weeks’ time. In Region 8, 196 million was released for 2 hospitals in a matter of 1 week. They want to determine the basis of choosing the hospitals),” Lacson added.
The Senate hearing will be conducted through a hybrid format due to the lockdown and can be accessed by the public online. – Report from Eunice Samonte
