Task force eyes reorganization for PhilHealth

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who headed Task Force PhilHealth that investigated anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., disclosed yesterday that in their report submitted to President Duterte on Sept. 14, they recommended the state insurer’s reorganization and not its abolition.

In a text message sent to reporters, Guevarra said, “In our report to the President, we recommended that the GCG (Governance Commission for GOCC) be directed to study the possible reorganization of PhilHealth and the creation of an interim management committee.”

Duterte earlier said that he wants to abolish and has even thought of privatizing PhilHealth.

The Department of Justice secretary believes that at this time the President has not yet made a final decision on what to do with the corporation that is perceived to be riddled with corruption.

He added that if the President would push through with his plans to either abolish or privatize PhilHealth, he would need the approval of Congress.

“It is not really very clear whether he wants to reorganize, abolish or privatize PhilHealth. Note that the last two options need congressional action,” Guevarra added.

After a month-long investigation, Task Force PhilHealth submitted a 177-page report wherein it recommended to the President to “strongly admonish and remind the PhilHealth chairman and members of the Board of the grave consequences of their action or inaction.” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is the PhilHealth Board chairman.

The task force also expressed its intention to file criminal charges against seven recently resigned and incumbent high-ranking officials and officials of PhilHealth before the Office of the Ombudsman as soon as the complaints and the collation of supporting documents are finalized.

The task force recommended for preliminary investigation recently resigned PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales, PhilHealth executive vice president and chief operating officer Arnel de Jesus, senior vice presidents Jovita Aragona, Renato Limsiaco Jr., Israel Francis Pargas, officer-in-charge Calixto Gabuya Jr. and division chief Bobby Crisostomo.