Sotto: Senate panel coordinating with DOJ on PhilHeath probe

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said he is coordinating with Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra as the legislative and executive investigations on alleged PhilHealth controversies continue.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Sotto said he already sent initial findings of the Senate Committee of the Whole to Guevarra on Sunday night.

"Pine-prepare ko unti-unti ang findings ng first hearing at second hearing at saka ira-wrap up namin [ang hearing] hopefully by tomorrow," Sotto said.

If the expectations of the Senate committee is satisfied, Sotto said the hearing could finally be closed and the DOJ would be furnished with the committee report soon.

"Para mayroon na ring hawak ang DOJ at 'yung mga dapat sampahan ng kaso masampahan na. 'Yun din ang hinihintay ng mga kababayan natin," he added. 

Following President Rodrigo Duterte's order, Guevarra recently formed "Task Force PhilHealth" to investigate the alleged irregularities in the state health insurer, conduct lifestyle checks among PhilHealth officials, and recommend personnel movement, among others.

The past two Senate hearings on PhilHealth's releases through its interim reimbursement mechanism, alleged overpriced IT equipment, and financial statements that were supposedly manipulated ran for almost 10 hours each.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, chair of the PhilHealth Board, is expected to attend the continuation of the hearing for the first time on Tuesday.

He will participate via teleconference as he is under quarantine for being exposed to Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano who tested positive again for COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News