Fraud, waste ‘difficult or impossible’ to solve —PhilHealth's Morales

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp.'s top official on Sunday acknowledged problems of fraud and inefficiencies at the PhilHealth, which he said were "difficult or impossible to solve."

In a statement, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales said the agency is already taking steps to address such issues.

"The problem of fraud and inefficiencies confronting PhilHealth are part of a bigger problem, what management experts call a 'wicked problem' - a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve for at least four reasons," he said.

Among the reasons Morales cited are incomplete or contradictory knowledge, the large number of people and opinions involved, the "large" economic burden, and the interconnected nature of such problems.

"Kahit linggo-linggo ho magpapalit ng president dito, hindi ho mawawala ang problemang ito," said Morales.

Just last week, three PhilHealth officials resigned over alleged corrupt practices in the agency.

One of the resigned officials, anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith, pointed to several reasons for his resignation such as the alleged rampant and unfair promotion process.

"Maybe he should substantiate 'yung mga accusation niya kasi very general 'yung mga sinasabi niya. He is the anti-fraud legal officer, 'di sana meron siyang datos," said Morales.

On Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said PhilHealth officials are under investigation over the agency's alleged overpriced purchase of an information technology system worth over P2 billion.

Roque said the investigation will be headed by Undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

On Sunday, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson called on Morales to resign if he can't refute the corruption allegations.

In response, Morales said he was considering doing so, but noted that he is looking to go on leave.

"Yes, I am considering. It doesn't mean I'll do it. It's a suggestion 'di ba," he said.

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 to all citizens of the Philippines.

The state-insurer over the weekend said it is prepared to face any investigation into the alleged anomalies.  — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News