PhilHealth chief rues allegations of incompetence vs. execs

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. on Wednesday lamented allegations of incompetence against some of his colleagues that resulted to their transfer, but assured the matter will not disrupt the state health insurer’s operations.

Ledesma was reacting to the request of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to reassign seven officials of the PhilHealth due to “observed incompetence, gross negligence, and ineffective leadership,” which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had granted.

A letter approved by Herbosa, who sits as chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, indicated that the Board “expresses its loss of confidence” in certain officers namely: EVP and COO Eli Dino Santos, ASVP Nerissa Santiago, SVP Jovita Aragona, SVP Renato Limsiaco, SVP Jose Mari Tolentino, SVP Dennis Mas, and SVP Dr. Israel Francis Pargas.

“Nakakalungkot no. Talagang nagulat ako eh. I was so surprised with what transpired kasi I’ve been here for ten months now and ever since I joined, maganda naman ang takbo, maganda naman ang samahan namin. Baka I become very close to my colleagues, so talagang nakakalungkot eh,” Ledesma said.

(It's sad. I was really surprised with what transpired because I've been here for ten months now and ever since I joined, our agency is doing well, and our coordination was good. Maybe I’ve become very close to my colleagues, so it's really sad.)

The PhilHealth chief said he will put up a crisis committee to look further into the “wrongdoings” of the officials involved.

He also said that it is still not clear where the officials will be reassigned.

“We have to respect the decision of the Board. Me, personally, I always believe that in the end, truth and justice will always prevail. Just wait we have another board meeting tomorrow and we’ll see what transpires,” Ledesma added.

Santos, for his part, denied the allegations against the PhilHealth executives, but said that he will comply if there is any lawful order to reassign him.—LDF, GMA Integrated News