Senator Bong Go has challenged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to regain the trust of the people after being embroiled in corruption issues.
“I challenge the new management of PhilHealth to check on these anomalies and irregularities,” Go said in an interview in Davao City regarding the alleged fraudulent claims, ghost payments and upcasing or misdeclaration of clinical diagnosis in the agency.
Issues of corruption and the reported existence of a “mafia” within the government-controlled corporation surfaced at a joint inquiry of the Senate blue ribbon and health committees recently.
The legislator, chair of the Senate health committee, wants the previous management of PhilHealth to answer its alleged failure to settle its financial obligations to private hospitals.
“There is connivance between the officials and the hospitals.”
“Merong sabwatan yan (There is connivance) between the officials and the hospitals,” the lawmaker added. The senator confirmed that they will conduct another joint committee hearing with the blue ribbon.
“Huwag niyong palusutin ang ganitong pangyayari kasi pera po ng tao yan. Andaming nagkakasakit at humihingi ng tulong. Bakit sila kailangan magmakaawa e pera po nila yan? (Don’t allow these anomalies to happen because the people’s money is involved here. A lot of people are getting sick. Why do they need to beg when that is their money?” he said.
Go also stressed that people are fed up with excuses so government should give solutions to the issue. In his previous interviews, he said the new PhilHealth management must be given ample time to address the problem.
However, Go emphasized that it does not mean that they are being lenient on them.
“Those responsible have to be accountable.”
“So dapat managot ang dapat managot (Those responsible have to be accountable),” he added.
Go stressed that in order to continue the operation of hospitals, remittances must be submitted by PhilHealth.
He visited Davao City recently to extend financial and relief assistance to families and individuals who were affected by a recent fire.
About 150 houses in Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C, were destroyed by the blaze.
Accompanying Go in providing government interventions to the fire victims were representatives from the National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.