DOJ CHIEF SAYS

Task force hopes to go after all people behind PhilHealth 'mess'

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday that the task force investigating alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. hopes to go after persons responsible for the "mess" -- incumbent or not.

"The quiet investigation being conducted by Task Force Philhealth is running well, although we are aware that our resource persons are not telling us everything that we ought to know," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

"At the end of this investigation, we hope to be able to build up enough cases against persons responsible for the PhilHealth mess, whether or not they continue to be in PhilHealth’s employ," he said.

He made the remark when asked if former PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales is still covered by the investigation even after he resigned.

Guevarra heads the task force investigating PhilHealth upon President Rodrigo Duterte's order.

Morales quit his post with the state insurer amid allegations of corruption plaguing the agency, and due to his battle with lymphoma.

Lawmakers and executive officials have launched investigations into alleged anomalies ranging from the use of the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism to overpricing in the purchase of IT equipment.

Rodolfo del Rosario Jr., senior vice president of PhilHealth's legal sector, which Guevarra said appears to be a "very ripe source of irregularities," has also resigned.

Asked what qualities he believes the next PhilHealth chief should have, Guevarra said a "steep experience in financial management" and a "deep understanding of the law."

The next PhilHealth chief should also have a "good amount of charisma to inspire and rally the good people at PhilHealth to start rebuilding the public's trust in, and respect for their agency," he said. —LBG, GMA News