Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra has stated that PhilHealth officials being investigated for the alleged anomalies in the corporation must have the initiative to file for a leave of absence.
“They know who they are. If they are not hiding anything, they can take a leave of absence to enable the investigators/auditors to freely complete their inquiry or examination.”
DOJ Sec. Guevarra has said that the National Privacy Commission reiterated that the Data Privacy Act cannot be used “to hinder the conduct of legitimate government investigations.”
He has also confirmed that the task force created by the DOJ started its meeting Monday to finalize the strategy for the investigation.
“Considering that the President directly assigned me to create the task force, I will personally oversee its operation to ensure a coordinated government action, with support from my undersecretaries and assistant secretaries and a team of DOJ lawyers acting as secretariat.”
The Justice Chief has also stated that the task force will identify the center of the investigation, aside from the issue of Wellmed, and “could be reasonably accomplished within the limited period given to the task force.” – Report from Kenneth Paciente
