The issues on Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) implementation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) budget, and failure to probe personnel lapses have been highlighted in the result of investigation by the task force commissioned to probe irregularities within the PhilHealth.
According the initial result of its investigation, the task force “found negligence on the part of the Executive Committee and the Board in the implementation of the IRM.”
It pointed out that the releases under the IRM fund were “rushed” despite the ineffective nature of the circular to implement such scheme. The IRM was implemented “without sufficient standards and guidelines,” resulting in its susceptibility to abuse; and that releases were made “despite the absence of mechanisms to monitor fund utilization and liquidation, and without taxes due thereon being withheld.”
The report also bared that “members of the Executive Committee purposely withheld the presentation of important information or audit documents in order to obtain the Board’s approval on their requested budget allocations to procure certain ICT equipment.”
The report cited the request of a Php 730 million budget which is not under the Information System Strategic Plan of PhilHealth.
The task force checked the alleged anomalous remittances “where contributions were diverted to a private account or where payment for an HCI was diverted to an undisclosed account.”
“In both these cases, the Task Force found that PhilHealth did not file a criminal complaint against the perpetrators as it should,” it discolosed.
“The Task Force also discovered that in at least six (6) occasions, the penalty of suspension against HCIs – already affirmed by final judgment of either the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court – was changed to mere payment of fines.
In at least 20 instances, the Board also withheld the penalty of suspension and dispensed with the filing of appropriate legal action in exchange for the payment of fines by the concerned HCIs,” it stated.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra explained that Health Secretary Duque had “no actual participation” in PhilHealth operations amid questions on the latter’s non-inclusion among those who were recommended to face charges.
“Should there be sufficient evidence of gross negligence on Sec. Duque’s part, however, he may also be held liable. Investigations of past and present irregularities at Philhealth are still ongoing. This report is just the beginning,” Guevarra clarified. –
Report from Kenneth Paciente
