Duterte orders probe into Philhealth chief’s travel expenses
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into the travel expenses and allowances of the interim president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) which have reportedly amounted to more than P900 million, Malacañang said Monday, May 7.
“The President ordered the investigation because the President’s priority is to provide universal health care. And if he is unable to clean the ranks of PhilHealth, he would not be able to grant universal health care,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told Palace reporters.
“So this is what I can promise, (Duterte) will give importance to the cleaning the ranks of PhilHealth,” he added.
Duterte’s directive came after the Commission on Audit (COA) sought PhilHealth interim president Celestina dela Serna’s explanation over her 2017 travel expenses and allowances even as it noted that the agency incurred a net loss of P8.92 billion.
COA, in its audit observation memorandum dated April 18, said Dela Serna spent at least P627,293.064 for her airplane fares from Tagbilaran to Manila and vice versa, terminal fees, and hotel accommodations since she assumed the post as PhilHealth OIC president on April 10, 2017.
State auditors also flagged Dela Serna’s allowances worth P143,881, as well as the P152,000-per diem she received for meetings through video conferencing.
Dela Serna has pleaded with Duterte to hear her side.
“If somebody from Malacañang is watching, I am waiting for the President to call me. Or if I can set an appointment with him, at least hear my side,” she said in a radio interview over the weekend.
Asked for reaction to Dela Serna’s appeal, Roque assured that testimonies from concerned parties would be considered during the conduct of the investigation.
“The matter will be -- I think like all controversies -- investigated and everyone will be heard,” Duterte’s spokesman said.