House ready to file raps vs PhilHealth execs over alleged anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — If necessary, members of the House of Representatives are ready to file charges against officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) amid alleged anomalies hounding the agency.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, who chairs the House committee on public accounts, said the possible charges against the PhilHealth officials were based on several issues found during the series of investigations conducted by his panel.

The committee on public accounts conducted the investigation together with the House committee on good government and public accountability.

“As to what cases will be filed, in-enumerate namin and the I would think, executive na bahala dun unless the committee will decide that we will file individually or collectively as members of the committee in Congress,” Defensor said.

Defensor also urged Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano to sign the committee report and file the necessary charges against the PhilHealth officials.

To recall, Paduano earlier said the public accounts committee should be headed by the minority bloc.

“Kung gusto talaga niyang sumama sa public accounts committee, I am inviting him to sign the committee report and to file the case if necessary,” Defender said.

“Magtulong kami, magsama-sama kami. hindi na ito question ng majority, minority. He is the minority leader now, and I think it is best that we file collectively as Congress para talagang makita naman ng tao,” the lawmaker added.

The initial draft of the joint committee’s report on its investigation on PhilHealth was leaked earlier this week.

Among the recommendations in the report is the filing of administrative and criminal charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, some Cabinet officials sitting on the PhilHealth board, and senior officials of the agency.

But Defensor said the report and the recommendations are not yet final as the joint committees still have to meet to debate, amend, and approve it.

/MUF