Solon seeks probe on PhilHealth ‘mismanagement’

“For several years, PhilHealth has been performing very well. However, recently it has been experiencing losses. The media has exposed several issues involving financial and administrative mismanagement, abuse of power and several negative issues as regards to employment,” Teves said.(Photo by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation/Facebook)

MANILA — A lawmaker at the House of Representatives is seeking a congressional inquiry into the alleged gross financial and operational mismanagement and corruption hounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves filed on Tuesday House Resolution 1928, which directs the House committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the “gross financial and operational management, corruption, as well as the proliferation of fraud through the creation of ghost members in PhilHealth.”

“For several years, PhilHealth has been performing very well. However, recently it has been experiencing losses. The media has exposed several issues involving financial and administrative mismanagement, abuse of power and several negative issues as regards to employment,” Teves said.

Teves claimed that PhilHealth interim president Celestina Ma. Jude De la Serna has spent PHP3,800 daily using the agency’s money to pay for her hotel accommodation for a year.

Teves said De la Serna made the admission before Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other House leaders in a meeting called on Wednesday for her to explain allegations of mismanagement and fraud committed under her watch.

“There should be a need to safeguard the finances of PhilHealth as it is the most important element to be able to provide quality healthcare,” said Teves.

Commission on Audit (COA) reports showed that de la Serna spent PHP627,000 for travels and hotels in 2017 despite the agency incurring a net loss of PHP8.92 billion.