Marcoleta seeks proof of illness after some PhilHealth execs left House hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta is seeking proof that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) officials who left in the middle the hearing being conducted by two House panels are not “malingering” illness.

Marcoleta made the remark after three PhilHealth officials left the joint hybrid hearing of the House committee on government and public accountability and the committee on public accounts due to various health reasons.

Among those who left was PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales who was “not feeling well”. To recall, PhilHealth earlier disclosed that Morales was diagnosed with cancer in February and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

“Disappointed ako sapagkat hindi lang siya ang wala ngayon,… wala rin po ‘yung kanyang mga key officials,” the lawmaker said.

Marcoleta then asked if the committees were given any proof that the key officials could not personally go to plenary because of their illness.

“Sila ba ay nagbigay sa atin ng ebidensiya na sila talaga ay hindi pupwedeng pumunta ng plenary sapagkat kahit ako may sakit din, pupunta aeo dyan e sapagkat ‘yun ay usapan na?” Marcoleta asked.

“Ano ba ang binigay nilang ebidensya, lalong lalo na yung key officials niya at si President Morales, na sila ay—if they are not malingering, what evidence did we receive to prove they are really sick?” the lawmaker added.

Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, who chairs the public accounts committee, said that the key officials were initially present—albeit via video conferencing—but later left due to health reasons.

But Defensor said that they can ask the officials for proof from the officials in the next hearing.

Aside from Morales, Executive Vice President Arnel De Jesus and Senior Vice President for Legal Sector Atty. Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. also left the hearing.

According to PhilHealth Acting Senior Vice President for actuary Nerissa Santiago, De Jesus had to leave the hearing for the replacement of the battery of his pacemaker.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth Senior Manager in Internal Legal Department, Atty. Rogelio Pocallan, said that del Rosario “took a break” due to high blood pressure.

But since no proof was presented to the House that the officials were indeed sick, Marcoleta expressed beliefs that the officials were just “malingering” their illness.

“Ang tingin ko po they are all malingering. Mayroon tayong kasabihan nga na ‘lightning does not strike in the same place twice.’ Pero sa hapong ito, tatlong beses na kinidlat tato sa iisang lugar lang,” Marcoleta said.

“Tatlong tao na inaasahan natin na magpapaliwanag ngayon, bigla silang pare-parehong nagkasakit. Ito ba ay katanggap-tanggap?,” Marcoleta said.

Defensor said he already knew that Morales was sick that’s why he allowed the latter not to attend the hearings physically.

The lawmaker, however, said he was unaware of their current condition.

“Tingnan natin kung ano ang magiging hatol ng ating komite at hindi lang dito ngayon, mayroon tayong contempt powers because we are not under moto propio hearing in aid of legislation,” Defensor said.

“And number two, alam naman nating may budget deliberations sila. And I agree with you, kapag may malingering, as you call it, then Congress, not only this committee can take action,” he added. [ac]