President Rodrigo Duterte is now considering to abolish or privatize the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Senate President Vicente Sotto III disclosed.
“He said he wanted PhilHealth abolished or privatized but I said it might be better to wait a few months and see how the new admin performs and that I have a bill making the Sec. of Finance the chair of the Board instead of the DOH Sec. He agreed to my proposal,” Sotto shared.
The statement was issued amid the claim of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that he is not negligent of his functions as Chairman of the Board of the corporation.
President Duterte met with Sotto, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier this week where he also mentioned the abolition of red tape.
“Congress will continue to follow the President’s lead, and with the good relationship between the Senate, the House of Representatives, and Malacañan. There is no reason why we cannot do this now, and end red tape before the end of the President’s Term in 2022,” Cayetano stated.
Senator Christopher Go also assured that President Duterte is willing to be summoned as a resource person regarding legislations to cut down red tape and corruption. – Report from Eunice Samonte
