Poe says it is time to change PhilHealth leadership

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday it is time to change the leadership at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid a wave of allegations hounding the state-run insurance firm.

“’Pag ikaw ay isang doktor at nag-oopera ka, biglang nanginig ka, di ba pinapalitan ang surgeon? Kasi, hindi porke’t naumpisahan n’ya, s’ya na iyon. If you are doing more damage than good, then it’s already a signal that you need to be replaced,” Poe said in the online Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

(If you were a doctor and you are conducting an operation but you suddenly get shaking hands, will you not be replaced? It does not mean that just because you were the one to start the operation, you will be the one to finish it. If you are doing more damage than good, then it’s already a signal that you need to be replaced.)

According to Poe, a leadership purge at PhilHealth will follow the Duterte administration’s policy of zero-tolerance for corruption.

“I hope in the coming days, there will be better appointments of the ones who will lead our agencies—based on qualifications, reputation, and not recycling certain individuals to different departments even if that’s not their specialty. And the President is saying he has zero-tolerance for corruption,” she added.

Poe noted that there is already “overwhelming evidence” that surfaced in the Senate hearings that point to the possible liability of some executives in the mismanagement and misuse of funds.

She also said the state-run health insurance agency needs leaders who are not tainted with corruption and vested interests, especially in this time when PhilHealth is necessary for the COVID-19 response of the government.

She pointed out that an effective response of the government and not just the resilience of the Filipinos is needed for the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If the people’s response has been overwhelming, the government should reciprocate with better performance,” Poe said. “No other people have worn their masks with discipline as we Filipinos have.  No other people have endured the longest and  lockdown as we Filipinos have.”

“Ano pang hahanapin mo sa Pilipino (What else will you look for from Filipinos)? What is missing in the equation? A better government response na kayang sabayan ang determinasyon ng mamamayan (that can walk in step with the determination of the people), a government that can march in lockstep with a people determined to fight their way out of this crisis,” Poe added.

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/MUF