Morales says he has no evidence yet vs. alleged corruption in PhilHealth

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and CEO Ricardo Morales on Tuesday said that he has no evidence that could stand in court against alleged corrupt officials of the agency.

In a Senate hearing, Morales also denied that he is a coddler of corrupt groups within the state health insurer.

“Sa kasalukuyan, wala ho akong ebidensya na tatayo sa korte, kaya hindi ho sila puwede pang kasuhan,” Morales said.

However, the PhilHealth president said he does not acknowledge the existence of a “syndicate" or a “mafia" within the agency.

"Hindi ko ho kinikilala na meron hong sindikato sa loob. Meron hong mga gumagawa ng katiwalian sa loob, pero hindi ko ho alam kung ito ho ay sindikato o hindi,” Morales said.

Former PhilHealth anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Montes Keith earlier accused its entire executive committee of being part of a "mafia" that pockets public funds.

Keith also said that he believes some P15 billion  was stolen by the mafia through several fraudulent schemes.

Morales, meanwhile, said that he is planning to collect evidence.

"Ang plano ko ho ay makabuo ng ebidensya [na] puwede gamitin sa korte. 'Yun lang ho ang paraan papaano maalis ang mga tao na ito,” he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News