PhilHealth says it has ‘nothing to hide,’ welcomes probe into alleged anomalies

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said Saturday it is prepared to undergo any investigation into alleged anomalies in the state-owned company.

“We welcome any investigation and will fully cooperate with the directive,” PhilHealth spokesperson Gigi Domingo said in a mobile message.

In a separate statement, the state health insurer said it has “nothing to hide.”

“PhilHealth [is] ready to face investigations to be mounted by the Senate and Office of the Special Assistant to the President to answer alleged corruption issue raised by a resigned job order contractor,” PhilHealth said.

“Allegations not substantiated by evidence are hearsay and outright malicious,” it said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday President Duterte has ordered an investigation into claims of anomalies in PhilHealth. 

The investigation is headed by Undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

The investigation covers the allegations of former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith, who recently tendered his resignation over "widespread corruption" in the agency. Roque said he personally received a copy of Keith’s resignation letter.

The Palace official did not say if Keith mentioned specific anomalies in his letter, but in separate interviews on Friday, the Palace official mentioned an allegedly overpriced IT system purchase of PhilHealth and questioned its allocation of funds to reimburse claims of accredited hospitals across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales has denied irregularities in the agency and challenged Keith to substantiate his claim.

Morales said Keith only raised the issue of corruption because the latter’s application for promotion was rejected.

Meanwhile, a Senate investigation is also underway, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson. —KG, GMA News