MANILA, Philippines – Four other Cabinet members are supposed to explain the issues of corruption and anomalies to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
According to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, in addition to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, should also include Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III, DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III and Budget Sec. Wendell Avisado.
The Universal Health Care Act states that they are ex-officio members of the board of directors of PhilHealth while Duque is the chairperson.
Gatchalian explained that PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales runs the agency’s day-to-day operations but the aforementioned cabinet members must be vigilant in using the agency’s funds because they sit on the board.
Duque allegedly had the influence on the board to ask for an investigation and reform if there was an anomaly in the agency and Duque should immediately report to the President about corruption.
The senators had previously criticized Duque’s silence on PhilHealth issues.
