Duque joins continuation of Senate hearing on PhilHealth

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, chair of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, for the first time joined the Senate hearing on alleged irregularities surrounding the state health insurer on Tuesday.

Duque, who held various positions in PhilHealth since 2001, is virtually present in the inquiry as he is currently under quarantine for being exposed to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año who tested positive anew for COVID-19.

PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales, who is undergoing chemotherapy, is also participating online.

Also in the hearing are the six regional vice presidents who recently went on leave—Dennis Adre, William Chavez, Paolo Johan Perez, Atty. Valerie Hollero, Masiding Alonto Jr., and Atty. Khaliquzzman Macabato.

Regional vice president for Central Visayas Grace Pamonag and CARAGA legal officer Atty. Jelbert Galicto are likewise included in the guest list.

Last year, these executives were tagged as the "Mindanao group" but the whistleblowers said they were actually the "good guys."

Aside from the PhilHealth executives, also invited were ex-officio Board members Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez, Budget Director Ryan Lita, and Deputy Treasurer Sharon Almanza representing the Department of Finance.

Former PhilHealth anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Montes Keith, Morales' resigned head executive assistant Etrobal Laborte, and incumbent Board member Alejandro Cabading—serving as witnesses—are also present.

This is the third Senate hearing on alleged irregularities in PhilHealth and Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Committee of the Whole will likely wrap up its investigation if the discussions within the day satisfy them.

The previous two hearings revealed questionable releases made by PhilHealth through its Interim Reimbursement Mechanism, alleged overpricing of IT equipment, and supposedly manipulated financial statements.

The House of Representatives' legislative inquiry on the matter is being done simultaneously.—AOL, GMA News