Philhealth chief lashes out at Roque

June 18, 2020

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales lashes out at Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque who cited him over the former's supposed failure to curb anomalies and corruption in the agency.

In an interview, Morales said it would be better if the irregularities at PhilHealth that Roque supposedly knows would be brought before the proper venue.

"Suggest that Atty Roque be more specific and file the cases himself if he has anything, any evidence," said Morales.

He said he would even be more than willing to have his post taken over by Roque if the latter believes that he can do a better job.

"Would be grateful to pass on the mantle of running PhilHealth to Atty Roque, anytime," he said.

Roque called him out for supposedly failing to investigate and hold accountable officials involved in anomalies at PhilHealth.

Roque noted how Morales had been given enough time to solve the corruption allegations within PhilHealth but has yet to produce results.

Morales said Roque is just reviving old issues being probed by the appropriate government agencies.

"PhilHealth has provided voluminous documents to NBI and PACC ( Presidential Anti Crime Commission) after which these agencies filed cases against about 20 PhilHealth executives and employees. These agencies should provide update on the status of those cases," said Morales.

Morales said  there are about 10,000 cases concerning alleged violations of hospitals and medical professionals that are docketed in court.

"PhilHealth's legal department is (already) overwhelmed," said Morales.

Morales noted how the automated system that he begun to help eliminate corrupt practices in the agency is in place but has been delayed.

"The IT system development budget of P2.6 billion intended to provide permanent and long term solution to inefficiencies, including corruption, is in place. (But) implementation suffered delays because of changes in signatories as bosses got fired," noted Morales.

In June 2019, Morales was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to cleanse PhilHealth of irregularities.

Morales' appointment came on the heels of a controversy over PhilHealth's alleged involvement in the ghost claims of a dialysis clinic in Quezon City. DMS