Chair of the PhilHealth Board of Directors and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III joined the Senate hearing on the alleged PhilHealth anomalies in the state insurer on Tuesday.
Also present in the hearing are the six regional vice presidents who recently went on leave—Dennis Adre, William Chavez, Paolo Johan Perez, Atty. Valerie Hollero, Masiding Alonto Jr., and Atty. Khaliquzzman Macabato.
Regional vice president for Central Visayas Grace Pamonag and CARAGA legal officer Atty. Jelbert Galicto also attended the Senate hearing.
Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier said she expects Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to tell all everything he knows about the alleged PhilHealth anomalies as he was the chairman of the state insurer’s board.
“I expect him to tell all lalo na’t mysteriously nanahimik sila sa loob ng nakaraang kalahating buwan samantalang binabayo na naman ang PhilHealth ng mga alegasyon muli ng korupsyon,” Hontiveros told reporters in a virtual interview.
Hontiveros also want Duqe to explain what he did to stop the alleged corruption within PhilHealth since he was part of its management since 2001.
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Duque joins senate hearing on PhilHealth anomalies
The senator noted the following PhilHealth issues raised by the Commission on Audit in previous years when Duque held major positions:
- 2004 – excesses in administrative expenses amounting to P490 million
- 2008 – excesses in administrative expenses worth P80 million
- 2009 – excesses in administrative expenses amounting to P200 million
- 2012 – P1.45 billion bonuses and allowances without legal basis and despite notice of disallowances; P3.05 billion doubtful payments for claims
- 2013 – P1.76 billion bonuses and allowances
- 2018 – P7.9 million excessive and unauthorized Representation and Transportation Allowances
Hontiveros noted said Duque’s silence on the issued hounding PhilHealth means he either neglects his duty as the PhilHealth Board chair or he knows something about the irregularities, but he chooses to cover them up.
In June, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered a motu propio investigation on Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health officials over alleged “anomalies” in the Department of Health’s (DOH) response to the COVID-19 crisis.