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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 3) – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was “practically admitting his guilt” when he denied his involvement and ties to the controversies plaguing the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, said Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The fountain On Thursday, Sotto questioned Duque’s defense that he was not part of the agency’s discussions about implementing the controversial interim reimbursement mechanism, a prepayment scheme to help hospitals affected by “fortuitous” events such as the COVID pandemic. -19.
“So for many months, ₱ 14.8 billion releases and the chairman of the board is not aware? If you say that, you are practically admitting guilt of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code because you are negligent, ”Sotto said of Duque.
“And that falls into the category of embezzlement, especially with that kind of amount that we are discussing,” he added.
Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code establishes that “any public official who, by reason of the duties of his office, is responsible for public funds or goods, will appropriate them, or take or embezzle or give his consent, or by Abandonment or negligence, will allow any other person to take said public funds or property, totally or partially, will be guilty of the embezzlement or misappropriation of said funds or property. “
Duque, the longest-serving senior official at PhilHealth, previously defended himself against allegations that he did not oversee developments at the agency, saying he has been concentrating on his other roles to combat the current health crisis.
It also denied being a signatory to a board resolution that allowed advance payments to hospitals for the response to the pandemic.
“As president without the right to vote under the Universal Health Care Law, it is regrettable that I was implemented in the alleged irregularities of the IRM when I was not even present during the deliberation or signed the resolution of the Board,” said the head of Health in a above statement.
Sotto argued, however, that Duque still has the role of overseeing the affairs of PhilHealth, since it is an agency attached to the department he heads.
‘Unforgivable’
Lawmakers previously questioned the implementation of the IRM, noting that the money was distributed to 279 facilities before the requirements were completed. The requirements were met on June 11, but the agency has already released more than P14 billion since March 25, Sotto previously said. The Senate committee also found that the funds released exceeded the estimated costs for treating COVID-19.
Sotto said it is “inexcusable” that the money of the Filipino people is being used in this way.
“It is the people’s money. They’re having a hard time, they can’t get to the hospital, they just wait Philhealth. Then they’ll know that billions in money Philhealth will be used as such? It’s unforgivable, ”Sotto said.
(Translation: People are struggling, they just trust PhilHealth. So would they find out that billions of dollars were used for that? It’s inexcusable).
The Senate panel previously recommended criminal and administrative charges against Duque, resigned PhilHealth chairman Ricardo Morales, as well as other officials over alleged anomalies within the agency.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte will await the results of his multi-agency task force investigation before acting on the matter, Malacanang said previously.
Sotto, for his part, said he “doubts” that the Task Force’s report, led by the Justice Department, is different from the upper house’s findings.
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