The Senate will convene as a Committee of the Whole on August 4 to investigate the alleged corruption within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Under Senate Resolution No. 475 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, an inquiry has been set to look into the alleged corruption, incompetence, and inefficiency of the corporation that may lead to its financial collapse.
Aside from the revelations of PhilHealth officials who recently resigned, the Senate also targets to determine the discrepancies in their 2020 budget proposal and the Php 98.5 million overpriced items.
“These rampant and pervasive allegations of corruption, incompetence and inefficiency have systematically impaired the management of PhilHealth to the detriment of this public institution and its members, without any remedial measures to improve competency and exact accountability, thereby endangering PhilHealth’s existence, necessitating the Senate’s intervention to prevent the corporation’s financial collapse,” Lacson said.
Although there is no final guest list yet, Sotto revealed PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales and other officials will be invited. Lacson previously stated that Morales’ integrity must be ensured.
Meanwhile, the Blue Ribbon committee is set to probe the death of drug lords and high-profile inmates at the New Bilibid Prison.
– Report from Eunice Samonte
