Several PhilHealth execs to allow AMLC to check their bank accounts

Several officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Wednesday said they will allow the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to check their bank accounts to prove they are not engaged in corruption.

Jovita Aragona, Renato Limsiaco Jr., Israel Pargas, and Nerissa Santiago, who physically attended the hearing at the House of Representatives, answered in the affirmative when asked if they are willing to sign a waiver to let the AMLC look into their bank transactions.

They are PhilHealth's senior vice presidents for information management, fund management, and health finance policy, and acting senior vice president for actuarial services, respectively.

At least five other officials participating in the inquiry over video conference also answered in the affirmative. They are Vice Presidents Oscar Abadu, Shirley Domingo, and Gilda Diaz; Visayas Area Vice President Walter Bacareza, and Corporate Secretary Jonathan Mangaoang.

They expressed their willingness to allow the AMLC to verify their bank transactions following a query from Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte.

PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales initially attended the hearing virtually but left because he was not feeling well, according to Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor.

Defensor said the House committee will also formally ask the PhilHealth's board members, executive committee, and regional officers if they are willing to sign a waiver.

This developed as lawmakers continued their investigation into alleged anomalies and corruption in the state health insurer. -MDM, GMA News