Appointment of PhilHealth 'caretaker' up to Duterte, says spox

The appointment of a temporary head to oversee the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) while its top officials are facing investigation is up to President Rodrigo Duterte, the agency's spokesperson said Monday.

"We leave that up na to the appointing authority, si President Duterte, that's up to him already," said PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo in an interview on Unang Hirit, as she stressed that PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales can still do his job despite his medical condition.

"Kaya naman ni Sir (Morales), but he has to rest naman because of this chemotherapy,” said Domingo, who is also PhilHealth's Vice President for Corporate Affairs.

Morales and PhilHealth executive vice president Arnel De Jesus have disclosed unfavorable medical conditions to the Senate ahead of the continuation of the legislative probe into alleged corruption in the agency on Tuesday.

On Sunday, PhilHealth employees called on Duterte to appoint a temporary chief of the corporation while its top officials are under investigation for supposed fraud and corrupt practices.

The PhilHealth Workers for Hope, Integrity, Transparency, and Empowerment (PhilHealth-WHITE) said the appointee should have a background on health insurance and a clean record.

However, the group is oppossed to PhilHealth being overseen by its chairman, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. “Subject din siya ng several investigations,” national president Maria Fe Francisco said.

Recently, PhilHealth’s former anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith claimed that a "mafia" inside the agency was able to steal some P15 billion from the state insurer through several fraudulent schemes.

He noted that the "mafia" has deep roots in the agency, including top officials in the executive committee.

Keith said among the fraudulent schemes being employed are the cash advances, the use of the interim reimbursement mechanism, and the continuous procurement of IT equipment the agency already has.

PhilHealth has denied the allegations. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News