President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed his plan to propose to Congress the abolishment of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid investigations on anomalies within the institution.
“Create an agency out of the ruins. Hindi na pwede, Sec. Duque. Ito mga tao entrenched na. Walang mangyayari. Talagang (This cannot go on, Sec. Duque. These people are so entrenched. Nothing will happen. Really), I’m either going to revamp, consider everybody resigned there,” President Duterte stated.
The privatization of PhilHealth was brushed aside due to lack of funding. President Duterte opts for a reorganization within the agency before pushing through with his proposal.
“I will try to begin tomorrow shaking the tree sa PhilHealth. Balak ko mag (I plan to) reorganize and impose a single line of authority,” he disclosed.
The Chief Executive earlier approved the possible filing of charges by the Task Force PhilHealth against erring officials, including graft, malversation of public funds, tax violations, gross neglect of duty, and falsification of documents.
Malacañang confirmed a massive overhaul and dismissal of erring officials are expected following the statement of Pres. Duterte.
Around 40 individuals are currently being investigated by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) concerning the overpriced COVID-19 testing package, IT package, and PhilHealth Common Stock Investment scam worth nearly Php 900 million. The PACC is set to file charges before the Ombudsman on the matter
The new head of PhilHealth has been given until year’s end to quell corruption. In case of failure, Congress is urged to file a bill to dissolve the corporation.
“Pero magkakaroon tayo ng tinatawag na transitory provision. Lahat ng bayad patuloy pa rin dahil hindi titigil ang PhilHealth kahit buwagin siya. Sa aking panukala ang pangalan, National Health Service (We will have transitory provision. All payments will continue as PhilHealth will not stop despite abolition. In my proposal, the name would be National Health Service),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained.
Pres. Duterte is bent on making an appeal with Congress and discuss measures to get rid of corruption and “simplify ease of doing business. I have some recommendation, almost radical.”
– Report from Naomi Tiburcio
