PRRD: PhilHealth mess magnifies ‘pervasive’ corruption in gov’t

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/Philippine News Agency

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday stressed the prevalence of corruption in the country by citing the ghost claims that hounded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in the past months.

“The recent uncovering of the massive fraud that perpetrated against the public health insurance proved that corruption is pervasive. (A) Huge amount of medical funds were released to ghost claims and imaginary treatment of ghost payments. I am grossly disappointed,” Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In June, the PhilHealth’s reputation was marred by ghost medical claims filed on behalf of deceased dialysis patients of WellMed Dialysis Center.

To solve the issue, Duterte has instructed the National Bureau of Investigation to arrest the perpetrators.

“The government is robbed of millions of pesos which could be used to treat illnesses and possibly save the lives of many. I appointed a new PhilHealth president, whom I know is a man of integrity and military man, a former military officer,” he said.

Duterte added that he has given PhilHealth head Ricardo Morales “marching orders to prioritize weeding the agency of corruption”.

For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website

Popular

Teodoro warned military takeover would bring consequences similar to Myanmar

By Patrick de Jesus | PTV News Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned that a military takeover would bring more consequences for the Philippines. This comes...

PBBM vows continued 4PH expansion

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide every Filipino family with a safe, decent, and affordable...

Palace questions credibility of citizen complaint submitted to ICI

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet On the heels of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) receipt of a letter of sentiment from a private citizen on...

PBBM hails dedication to public service of 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos awardees

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “They remind us that integrity and excellence must be at the heart of the work that we all do.” Amid the various...