Comelec allows transfer of ‘incompetent’ PhilHealth execs amid poll ban

PhilHealth. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has authorized the transfer of seven “incompetent” officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) despite a prevailing poll ban.

In a memorandum dated October 16, the poll body granted the request of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who also sits as chairman of PhilHealth’s board.

Comelec said Herbosa’s request complied with exemptions under the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits the transfer of government employees during an election period. The country is in an election period from August 28 to November 29 as it is set to hold the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 30.

“By virtue of the authority granted upon me under Resolution No. 10924, promulgated on 07 June 2023, the recommendation of the Law Department is hereby APPROVED,” reads the memorandum signed by Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

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Based on the memorandum, which copies were distributed to members of the media on Tuesday, the PhilHealth officials who would be transferred are Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino Santos, Acting-Senior Vice President Nerissa Santiago, and Senior Vice Presidents Jovita Aragona, Renato Limsiaco, Jose Mari Tolentino, Deniss Mas, and Israel Francies Pargas.

Citing the assertions of Herbosa in his exemption request, Comelec said the PhilHealth officials were being transferred for “incompetence, gross negligence, and ineffective leadership.”

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Herbosa previously blamed the executive committee of PhilHealth for its efficiency in paying hospital claims.

“I would blame the executive committee of PhilHealth, who has been doing and managing PhilHealth, on what we call inefficiency of payment because hospitals depend on them,” he said during a Senate hearing on October 11.

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