PhilHealth Davao exec denies regional VPs part of ‘mafia’

One of the regional vice presidents of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday denied that regional heads are part of the ‘mafia’ in the agency as alleged by Senator Richard Gordon.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday, PhilHealth Davao regional vice president Dennis Adre said they can present documents showing that regional vice presidents have actually been calling out anomalies.

“We have on record all our communications regarding our objections on policies that are not advantageous to our members and the government. We oppose those,” Adre said.

Senate blue ribbon committee chair Richard Gordon earlier suggested removing all regional vice presidents of PhilHealth for allegedly benefiting from fraudulent claims.

"The records speak for itself that the mafia is the regional directors. They've been there for 20 years. Nakikita niyo, ang laki ng amounts na naka-collect. Maraming nagko-complain," Gordon said.

"Konektado 'yan, there is really just one mafia. Connected 'yan doon sa taas," he added.

According to Adre, the vice presidents even created a group that will focus on calling the attention of the top officials of PhilHealth about questionable policies, which they called the ‘the conscience bloc’.

“Since 2004, we have formed a group among regional vice presidents not only in Mindanao but among other leaders in Luzon and Visayas, and Central Office to be the conscience bloc of the corporation,” he said.

“We usually call the attention of the top management on fraud policies,” he added.

According to Adre, they have filed cases against erring health service providers. He noted that they already sent these records to the House and Senate.

Adre however admitted that some of the cases did not proceed and were dismissed.

For Adre, this might be the reason why lawmakers are being critical toward them.

Bryan Jabay, vice president of  PhilHealth Workers for Hope, Integrity, Transparency, and Empowerment, said removal of officials should be implemented after the probe.

“Kailangang pag-aralan pa siguro kasi based lang naman sa imbestigasyon. Doon siguro natin puwedeng sabihin na talagang tatanggalin,” Jabay said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“I-conclude muna natin 'yung imbestigasyon na meron ngayon kung talaga bang ang mga head ng mga region ang may problema o kaya 'yung nasa execom [executive committee], nasa Central Office 'yung may problema,” Jabay added. —KG, GMA News