Top-level posts in PhilHealth need cleansing to stem corruption — Sotto

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday said the top-level positions in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation must be thoroughly cleansed to put an end to corruption issues within the agency.

"Linisin muna. Kailangan linisin, hindi 'yung mga relationship ng mga ospital sa mga nasa babang regional, sa taas muna. 'Yun ang kailangang linisin. Grabe doon eh," Sotto said in a virtual interview with reporters.

"Yung mga kontrobersyal na posisyon na may mga alegasyon, palitan mo at humanap ka ng mga ipapalit na talagang ika nga eh mahirap i-corrupt," he added.

"Hindi ako natatakot doon sa actuarial life eh. Matatakot ako sa actuarial life kung hanggang ngayon ay puro korapsyong ganiyan ang nangyayari," he further said.

Last week, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said he believes the corruption issue involves PhilHealth officials on the ground.

"Tingin ko nasa baba ang problema. Kahit ilang beses magpalit ang Pangulo ng mga board members diyan, kahit ilang beses pa siya magpapalit ng pangulo ng PhilHealth o CEO, eh kung sa baba naman ang katiwalian at ‘di nila kontrolado mga tao sa baba, wala pong mangyayari," Go said.

Sotto said it would be easier to stem corruption at the lower level if those on top are "clean."

'Benefit of the doubt'

Nonetheless, the Senate leader said he still gives PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales the benefit of the doubt.

He said the upper chamber will submit its findings to the Palace after they complete the Senate investigation.

Asked what ideal qualification for a PhilHealth chief he has in mind, Sotto said a businessman could be a perfect fit.

"Kung may magaling na businessman na matino na makukumbinsi mo na tanggapin 'yan, palagay ko solusyon. Hindi mo kayang lokohin sa pera ang businessman," Sotto said.

"Kailangan ang businessman na ilalagay mo roon, una sa lahat, mayaman, magaling. Eh kung tatanggapin nga lang ni Ramon Ang 'yan siguradong malinis 'yan," he added.

During a Senate hearing on alleged irregularities in PhilHealth, it was revealed that the actuarial life of the state insurer is down to only a year. — RSJ, GMA News