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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte speaks to the people after holding a meeting with key members of the Interagency Working Group on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 14, 2020. ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte wanted the troubled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) abolished or privatized amid allegations of corruption within the agency, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto revealed Thursday III.
On Wednesday, Duterte met with congressional leaders, including Sotto, to discuss measures that would eradicate bureaucracy and corruption in government.
“He said he wanted PhilHealth abolished or privatized, but I said it would be better to wait a few months and see how the new administration performs and that I have a bill that makes the Secretary of Finance the Chairman of the Board instead. of the DoH (Department of Health) Secretary. She agreed with my proposal, ”Sotto said.
“I explained to him that Philhealth is an insurance company and not a health entity,” he added.
“He wants to further amend the legislation against bureaucracy and ease of doing business. In fact, he is willing to be summoned if necessary. I told him that the best word is invite. But only if necessary, ”the Senate leader told reporters in a Viber message.
Sotto said he promised to send the president first a copy of a bill that Congress would introduce to amend that law.
The Universal Health Care and PhilHealth Act, he said, were also discussed during the meeting.
The corruption allegations surrounding PhilHealth sparked the change in its leadership with former Director of the National Bureau of Investigation Dante Gierran appointed as the new president and CEO.
He replaced Ricardo Morales, who is now among those recommended to be charged in court for alleged corruption within the agency.
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