Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday she expects Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to tell all everything he knows about the alleged corruption in PhilHealth as he was the chairman of the state insurer’s board.
“I expect him to tell all lalo na’t mysteriously nanahimik sila sa loob ng nakaraang kalahating buwan samantalang binabayo na naman ang PhilHealth ng mga alegasyon muli ng korupsyon,” Hontiveros told reporters in a virtual interview.
(I expect him to tell all especially as they have been mysteriously silent for the past half month while allegations of corruption are once again mounting on PhilHealth.)
“He is obliged to shed light, tulungan ang Senado na alamin ang buong katotohanan,” she added.
(He is obliged to shed light, help the Senate to know the whole truth.)
Hontiveros also want Duqe to explain what he did to stop the alleged corruption within PhilHealth since he was part of its management since 2001.
The senator noted the following PhilHealth issues raised by the Commission on Audit in previous years when Duque held major positions:
- 2004 – excesses in administrative expenses amounting to P490 million
- 2008 – excesses in administrative expenses worth P80 million
- 2009 – excesses in administrative expenses amounting to P200 million
- 2012 – P1.45 billion bonuses and allowances without legal basis and despite notice of disallowances; P3.05 billion doubtful payments for claims
- 2013 – P1.76 billion bonuses and allowances
- 2018 – P7.9 million excessive and unauthorized Representation and Transportation Allowances
Also read: PhilHealth suspends Interim Reimbursement Mechanism implementation
Hontiveros wants Duque to tell all on PhilHealth probe
Hontiveros noted said Duque’s silence on the issued hounding PhilHealth means he either neglects his duty as the PhilHealth Board chair or he knows something about the irregularities, but he chooses to cover them up.
The DOH chief is expected to appear before the Senate Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.
In June, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered a motu propio investigation on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health officials over alleged “anomalies” in the Department of Health’s (DOH) response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Ombudsman ordered the investigating team to file necessary criminal and/or administrative cases against any government official who would refuse to cooperate with the ongoing probe.