7 Philhealth executives resign

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that seven officials of the Phillippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) had already submitted their courtesy resignations.

“Nag-submit na ng courtesy resignation ang mga presidential appointees to the PhilHealth board kasama si [Dr.] Roy Ferrer,” said the health chief in an interview.

Aside from Ferrer, the six other PhilHealth officials who tendered their courtesy resignations were Roberto Salvador, Celestina dela Serna, Joan Cristine Reina LibanLareza, Hildegardes Dineros, Rex Mendoza, and Jack Arroyo.

Duque said the six officials will still stay up until “the President accepts officially their courtesy resignation,” while the resignation of Ferrer will take effect immediately.

To note, President Duterte had asked the courtesy resignation of the state insurance firm’s acting president and its board members last Monday following reports of fraudulent activities that is happening in PhiHealth.

Meanwhile, the health chief earlier said that PhilHealth Executive Vice President John Basa will serve as officer-in-charge of the agency upon his return from abroad on Monday.

At the same time, Duque warned that the government will go after healthcare providers and PhilHealth officials who engage in the fraud.

“As the Health Secretary and ex-officio Chairman of PhilHealth, I am warning all health providers and PhilHealth officials in the strongest possible terms: do not cheat the system nor even attempt to do it,” said Duque.

Duque said that it is “utterly unacceptable” for the PhilHealth to be “taken advantage of and used in corruption,” following the fraudulent activities that involves the state insurance firm funds.

The health chief said that he is “deeply disappointed” on the recent events that surround PhilHealth, saying that these fraudulent activities must end and that PhilHealth “should further strengthen its zero tolerance policy on overpayments.”

“Tama na ang hocus pocus. Maraming Pilipinong may sakit ang umaasa sa tulong na ibinibigay ng PhilHealth,” he said.