EDITORIAL - Why are so few charges against PhilHealth?

(The Philippine Star Today) ) - September 17, 2020 - 12:00 am President Duterte has already approved the filing of a graft case against former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales. Apart from Morales, six other high-ranking officials are being charged. They are Senior Vice President Jovita Aragona, officer-in-charge Calixto Gabuya Jr., SVP Renato Limsiaco, SVP Israel Francis Pargas, COO Arnel de Jesus, and division chief Bobby Crisostomo. Health Sec. Francisco Duque III despite accusations that he was responsible. According to the Senate investigation, Duque should also be charged. A task force has been formed to investigate corruption in PhilHealth. The task force recommended filing a corruption case against senior PhilHealth officials and President Duterte immediately approved it. The President said, “I'm sorry for them, but they will have to undergo trial, although they can always prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The presumption of innocence is still attached. ” I wonder why there are only seven charges even though more than 30 are said to be involved in PhilHealth corruption? The Office of the Ombudsman initially suspended 13 officials over corruption issues. Corruption in PhilHealth began to erupt after employees themselves exposed the syndicate that dominated the agency. Allegations include the procurement of overpriced IT equipment; questionable fund release under Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM); and the manipulation of the financial status of the agency. After many years of brutal corruption at the said insurance agency, only now has there been a sensible investigation and it could be a way for the accused to rot in prison. Hopefully this time something will rot in the dungeon. And hopefully not just seven will be punished at PhilHealth. Stir more to drain the money launderers. The new PhilHealth chief will try to rebuild the devastated agency.

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