Go on corrupt PhilHealth officials: 'Putulan ng isang daliri'

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Tuesday said the law should be amended so that officials found guilty of corruption, specifically those in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), would have a finger cut off as punishment.

"Sana po baka puwede nating amyendahan 'yung batas, nabanggit ko kanina out of frustration, baka pwedeng bawat mahuli ay putulan ng isang daliri kung maaari para matapos na rin itong kalbaryo ng PhilHealth," Go said in a Senate hearing.

Under its mandate, PhilHealth is tasked to administer the National Health Insurance Program which aims to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available, and accessible health care services for all citizens of the Philippines.

PhilHealth and its officials are under investigation over the agency's alleged overpriced purchase of an information technology system worth over P2 billion, among others.

In the previous Senate hearing, resigned anti-fraud officer Thorsson Montes Keith claimed that the PhilHealth "mafia," composed of the executive committee, stole some P15 billion through fraudulent schemes.

PhilHealth, in a statement, has since denied such claims.

"Marami pong Pilipinong umaasa sa PhilHealth. Wala po silang ibang matakbuhan kundi 'yung PhilHealth ang unang nasa isipan nila," said Go.

In response, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said the proposed punishment is not in accordance with the Philippine Constitution.

"I wish I could agree with you but it's [an] unconstitutional and inhumane punishment," he said.—AOL, GMA News