Former NBI director now PhilHealth chief Dante Gierran. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and CEO Dante Gierran on Thursday shrugged off criticisms following his admission that he has no experience in public health services.
“Hayaan niyo sila yung mga nagko-comment. It’s their right to comment. I admit, ano bang alam ko sa public health? Of course, aaralin ko yan,” Gierran said during the Laging Handa online briefing.
(Let people comment on the issue, it’s their right. What do I know about public health? Of course I will study it.)
“Aaralin ko yan, ‘di ko alam e, alangan namang sasabihin ko na alam ko [pero] hindi ko alam,” he added.
(I will study it, because I have no knowledge on the subject matter. I will not say I am knowledgable on that subject matter when I’m not.)
In an earlier interview, Gierran admitted having no knowledge or experience in the public health sector despite it being one of the requirements as the head of PhilHealth under the law.
Under Section 14 of the Universal Health Care Law, the president and CEO of PhilHealth must have “at least seven years of experience in the field of public health, management, finance and health economics or a combination of any of these expertise.
Nevertheless, Gierran said he has experience in financial management, being a certified public accountant.
Gierran, a former National Bureau of Investigation chief, was recently appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace former PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales.
Gierran assured that he would consult with public experts as he takes on the role as chief of PhilHealth which is hounded by fresh allegations of corruption.
“I have to talk to experts. We don’t have the monopoly of wisdom just like other people who need me, I also need them,” he went on.
“I will have the help on what to do, as simple as that,” he added.