Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 30)— The Senate’s investigation into the alleged irregularities and fresh controversies hounding state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has been set for Tuesday, August 4, Senator Ping Lacson said Thursday.
The Senate Committee of the Whole will formally open the probe at 9 a.m., Lacson said in a message to reporters.
Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday filed Senate Resolution 475— which also calls for an inquiry into the allegations of incompetence and inefficiency at the agency that supposedly led to the controversial resignation of some of its officials, including anti-fraud legal officer Thorsson Montes Keith.
Keith, in his resignation letter, had claimed widespread corruption and other anomalies in the PhilHealth system, including an unfair job promotion process.
Officials and staff of the state health insurer— including President and CEO Ricardo Morales— denied such allegations.
PACC probe results out soon
Aside from the Senate, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission has also launched an investigation into the alleged anomalies of PhilHealth, with results expected to be released “very soon,” Commissioner Greco Belgica said.
The PACC in May began to look into the agency’s alleged overpricing of COVID-19 test kits— upon President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders. The chief executive has since directed a fresh probe on PhilHealth following Keith’s resignation.
“The President knows best. However… the President will not hesitate to ax anyone should investigations prove ones involvement in corruption in PhilHealth,” the commissioner said in a statement.
