President Rodrigo R. Duterte has issued a memorandum ordering the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a task force to investigate the alleged corruption within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
The panel may also recommend the suspension of the agency’s officials.
The task force needs to submit its report to the President regarding the result of its investigation and recommendation of penalties to be imposed on the PhilHealth executives within 30 days.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the probe is “is not an ordinary investigation. They will in fact exercise the power of preventive suspension and lifestyle check.”
He observed that the Chief Executive has reached his limits and wishes to end the issue in the agency and hold accountable those who are responsible.
“From the wordings po of the memorandum mukhang exasperated na po ang Presidente. (The President appears to be exasperated).”
Meanwhile, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra, as the leader of the investigation, assures that they will be fair and reasonable in conducting the investigation.
“We shall base our actions on such facts as may be established and such conclusions as may be reasonably inferred therefrom.”
PhilHealth has released a statement indicating that its Executive Committee (EXECOM) and other senior officials are open to lifestyle checks to be conducted.
Report from Mela Lesmoras
