Another PhilHealth official resigns

MANILA – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) senior vice president for operations Augustus de Villa left his post on Thursday, August 6, 2020, amid the investigation into alleged corruption in the agency.

The high-ranking PhilHealth official tendered his “immediate” and “irrevocable” resignation, but assured that he will make himself available for ongoing congressional investigations.

“I hereby tender my irrevocable resignation, effective immediately, from the service of the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation,” De Villa’s resignation letter read.

“The vice-chairman knows fully well the reasons. I briefed him earlier today at his residence in Taguig City,” he said.

“Be assured that I will make myself available for the ongoing investigations in aid of legislation in both Houses of the Congress of the Philippines,” he added.

Thorrsson Montes Keith, who had resigned as PhilHealth’s anti-fraud legal officer because of alleged corruption, told a Senate hearing on August 4 that officials who comprise the alleged Philhealth mafia have stolen P15 billion.

“Ang perang winaldas at ninakaw [sa Philhealth] ay humigit kumulang P15 billion. Naniniwala po ako na ang dahilan kung bakit hindi natatapos ang korapsyon sa PhilHealth,” Keith said.

“Naging kultura na po nito, ay ang pagtatalaga ng mga sindikato o ‘mafia’ ng kanilang kasamahan, kasabwat, o kapwa sindikato sa mga matataas na posisyon na nakakatulong sa kanilang iligal operasyon,” he added.