Gierran vows to restore public’s trust, confidence in PhilHealth

Retired National Bureau of Investigation director and newly appointed president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Dante Gierran on Monday vowed to restore the public’s trust and confidence in the state health insurer.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Gierran said he was “aghast” upon hearing about the “sorry state” of PhilHealth.

Despite the “very tough job,” he said he is not one who would back out from a mission.

“I did not apply for the position because I know it's a very tough job. But just like General Galvez, Secretary Lorenzana, I’m also a good soldier… I know it is a huge mission and I am consoled by the fact that this early, there has been support coming in,” Gierran said.

“All I have to do is to restore the trust and confidence of our people to PhilHealth. It is equivalent to restoring the trust and confidence to the government,” he added.

Moreover, Gierran said he will “strike a balance” between improving the agency’s services to the people and addressing the perennial issues of the “deeply-rooted” corruption.

He also thanked Duterte for giving him the “privilege” of serving the public.

“This is a privilege not offered to everybody and this is an honor for me, not only for me, but the name of my parents,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte appointed Gierran as the new president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth.

According to GMA News' John Consulta, Gierran said Duterte called him on Monday night to inform him about his appointment to lead the state insurer.

Gierran has been appointed to lead the state insurer following the resignation of former PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales and the leaves of absence of top executives amid serious allegations of corruption and fraud.

Gierran, a certified public accountant, retired from the NBI in February.

Prior to his appointment as national director of the NBI in 2016, Gierran helmed the bureau’s Region 11 office in Davao City for several years.

In September 2016, self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato claimed that he and Gierran worked together on kidnapping and killing an individual who they later fed to crocodiles. Gierran denied the allegation. — BM, GMA News