Palace says give task force time to conclude probe alleged PhilHealth corruption

August 12, 2020

Malacañang urged on Wednesday the public to give the task force led by the Department of Justice time to complete its investigation on the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in an interview by CNN Philippines, reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte believes in the integrity of PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales, who was accused by the former anti-fraud investigator of the agency as the coddler of a mafia-like syndicate in PhilHealth. Morales denied the allegation.

"So, as far as the fate of Gen. Morales is concerned, the President has said, ‘I believe in his integrity, I believe he is a soldier of courage and of principles’. But he will await the results of the task force('s investigation). He has said that I don’t care if you were my political supporter, I don’t care if you’re close with, if you’re corrupt then you will have to go," he said.

"So, let's allow the process to continue given that the task force was given only very short period of time within which to conclude its investigation - 30 days," he added.

Roque said the Palace expects that in the next 30 days, there will be a decision to either impose preventive suspension, lifestyle check or outright suspension to any PhilHealth official.

"He (Duterte) wants to await the decision of the task force that's why he created it in the first place," he said.

Duterte has tasked the DOJ to form a panel to investigate PhilHealth officials and employees.

Roque said Duterte is a "very kind person" as he would not give pressure to Morales, who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma, despite calls for him to leave his post.

"I think that's a good trait that the President is not a bad one. It's up to Morales what he wants to do but the process of investigation will continue," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS