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Kiko Pangilinan dares Duterte to sack corrupt PhilHealth execs
By DONA MAGSINO,GMA NewsSenator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Friday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to ax the officials involved in the alleged corruption within the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
"Kung seryoso ang gobyernong Duterte na unahin ang kaligtasan ng taumbayan, dapat sibakin agad ang lahat na sangkot sa anomalya sa PhilHealth, kasuhan ng plunder at agad na ikulong. Dito natin gusto makita ang tunay at hindi yung gawa-gawa lang at siga-siga na political will," Pangilinan said in a statement.
The supposed resignation of anti-fraud officer Thorrson Montes Keith due to "widespread corruption" in PhilHealth exposed the "unacceptable government negligence" amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the opposition lawmaker.
"Sabi nila ang tunay na pagkatao ng bawat isa ay lumalabas sa panahon ng krisis at kalamidad. Marahil ganun din sa tunay na anyo ng isang pamahalaan o pamumuno," Pangilinan said.
"'Yung pagnanakaw at pangungurakot sa PhilHealth, ang ahensya ng pamahalaan na sentro sa ating healthcare system, sa gitna ng pinakamatinding krisis sa kalusugan sa kasaysayan ng bansa ay indikasyon ng kawalan ng pagpapahalaga at malaking kapabayaan at pagmamalabis ng Administrasyong Duterte," he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte has already ordered an investigation
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Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier revealed that PhilHealth officials were being investigated for the alleged overpriced purchase of an IT system worth over P2 billion.
Several senators acknowledged the need for a Senate investigation on the alleged corruption in PhilHealth.
PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales has denied the allegations of corruption. -NB, GMA News