Malacañang said Wednesday President Rodrigo Duterte still trusts Health Secretary Francisco Duque III despite his alleged involvement in the anomalies surrounding Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
“He does because if he has ceased to have trust and confidence, then Secretary Duque would no longer be in office,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told CNN Philippines in an interview.
Roque remained firm that all Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President.
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.
Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier 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
Resigned PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith accused in a Senate hearing on Tuesday that Duque is the “godfather” of top PhilHealth officials allegedly involved in corruption since he approved the appointments of the officials belonging to the so-called “mafia” in the state insurer.
Also read: Duterte still has faith with Duque amid Ombudsman probe
Duterte still trusts Duque amid PhilHealth anomalies
“Maituturing ko po na siya po ang godfather po ng mafia,” former PhilHealth anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Montes Keith said in a Senate hearing.
“Doon po sa Interim Reimbursement Mechanism siya po ang chairman, as a chairman [ng PhilHealth Board] mayroon pong due diligence po na gagawin ang isang chairman and considering na he’s a doctor and mayroon siyang institutional knowlege sa pamamalakad sa PhilHealth,” he added.
Duque, meanwhile, vehemently denied Keith’s allegations.
“I deny this. [It’s] absolutely malicious, without basis. I do not wish to dignify that allegation,” Duque said.
“Wala po akong alam na ebidensiya na iniuugnay si General Morales direktamente doon sa mga naturang fraudulent claims,” he said.
“Madali pong mag-speculate pero dapat ang evidence, ang data ay makita natin kung mayroon mang direktamenteng kinalaman ito sa mga katiwalian na nabanggit ninyo,” he added.