PhilHealth mum on alleged P10.6-B fund diversion issue

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Friday announced that it will stop issuing any further statement to the media regarding recent issues related to the premium contributions of senior citizens. (Photo by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Friday announced that it will stop issuing any further statement to the media regarding recent issues related to the premium contributions of senior citizens.

“Based on the directive of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, we have already filed a complaint against former Health secretary Dr. Janette Garin and former PhilHealth president and CEO Atty. Alexander A. Padilla with the Office of the Ombudsman pertaining to the process by which the request for the funds was made,” PhilHealth President Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna said in a statement.

Dela Serna vowed to cooperate in the proceedings and concentrate on the next steps that they will take.

“Let me sincerely assure our members and stakeholders that we remain unwavering in our efforts to uphold the ideals of genuine public service, and that we conduct our operations with utmost public accountability to ensure that service remains uninterrupted,” she said.

The PhilHealth Board decided to file a case of graft against Garin and Padilla before the Office of the Ombudsman last March. The two allegedly asked for the release of the fund for the health facilities enhancement program and purchase of barangay health stations and dental buses of the DOH.

Dela Serna bared the filing of the case during a congressional hearing on the sustainability of PhilHealth’s fund last Tuesday.

Garin and Padilla both belied the claim they had diverted PHP10.6-billion worth of senior citizens’ fund, noting the Department of Budget and Management did not approve of its release.