Alleged corruption in PhilHealth amid pandemic is alarming –Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed alarm over allegations of corruption in state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her radio program, Robredo pointed out that some citizens will be deprived of their health benefits if funds were stolen.

“Ito nakakabahala kasi ngayon 'yung panahon na pinakakailangan natin ang PhilHealth kasi marami sa ating ang nagkakasakit,” she said.

“Marami sa nagkakasakit hindi kayang bayaran 'yung cost ng kanyang hospitalization, kanyang medication,” she added.

For Robredo, the government should take the issue seriously.

Recently, three PhilHealth officials quit their jobs over alleged corrupt practices in the agency.

In May, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon called for a reorganization of PhilHealth over the issue of overpriced COVID-19 testing packages.

Drilon said there may have been groups within PhilHealth that bloated the prices of test kits.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales on Sunday said he is considering going on leave amid the issues hounding the agency.

Last Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an investigation into claims of anomalies in PhilHealth, and the probe will be headed by Undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.  —LBG, GMA News