Bishop Oscar Florencio of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care, expressed hope that the new head of the government’s Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will be able to address alleged corruption in the agency.
“I don’t know the person, however, if he has the trust and confidence of the appointing authority, all I do is accept and pray for him,” said Bishop Florencio, head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.
The government is currently investigating the state health insurance company over allegations that about 15 billion pesos of the agency’s funds have been pocketed by its top officials.
A task force has been created by the national government to look into the alleged irregularities hounding the state health insurer.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila described the scandal as “outrageous” especially in the midst of the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
He expressed hope that there will be no cover-up in the investigations into the alleged anomalies in PhilHealth.
“Let us hope and pray that there is no cover-up, that those responsible be held accountable,” said Bishop Pabillo.
The prelate also called for the “cleansing” of the PhilHealth system and for it to entrusted to “trustworthy and competent people”.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed on Monday, August 31, appointed former National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran as the new head of PhilHealth.
Gierran takes over the post of resigned PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales, who was advised by Duterte to step down due to his medical condition.
Gierran, a certified public accountant-lawyer, was the first NBI Director appointed by Duterte after he won the 2016 presidential elections.
The 65-year old official stepped down in February for his mandatory retirement. Prior to his four year-stint as director, he was the NBI regional director for the Davao Region.
Under the Section 14 of Republic Act 11223 or Universal Health Care, upon the recommendation of the Board, the president must appoint a Filipino citizen who has at least seven years of experience in the field of public health, management, finance, and health economics or a combination of any of these expertise.
Source: Licas Philippines
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