Probe alleged PhilHealth anomalies, solon urges
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has joined the list of lawmakers seeking an investigation on the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth). He filed House Resolution No. 1068 seeking to direct the House Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Michael Defensor to look into the alleged anomalies besetting the government corporation that is mandated to help provide affordable, available and accessible health care service for all Filipinos. “There is a need to determine and address the alleged corruption issues to safeguard the Philhealth’s fund and determine the accountability of the Philhealth officials in order to ensure provision of quality, credible, and reliable services to its members,” he said. He noted that it was uncovered last June 2019, that there were some Philhealth officials who allegedly created a scheme where medical clinics or establishment continue to receive payoffs for dialysis treatment even after the death of the patients. “On July 23, 2020, another corruption controversy circulated on social media in which three Philhealth officials resigned from their posts after alleged corruption activities in the agency were accidentally revealed during a Zoom meeting. One of the said officials who tendered his resignation is the anti-fraud legal officer of Philhealth, Atty. Thorsson Montes Keith, citing widespread corruption as one of his reasons,” Barbers said. He said even Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque bared the supposed “systemic corruption” in Philhealth involving those in the agency’s higher echelons. “Atty. Roque revealed that an investigation has been conducted on the alleged anomalies on the overprices purchased of an IT system worth over P2 billion,” Barbers said. Defensor also filed House Resolution No. 1069 seeking motu proprio investigation on the corruption issues hounding Philhealth that led to the resignation of several personalities. “When there seems to be a pattern of alleged abuses where loopholes can be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous, a systemic change needs to be done to overhaul the present set up,” he said......»»
Senate, House slam PhilHealth probe report
Lawmakers including those from the administration slammed yesterday the findings of a special task force that investigated alleged anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., particularly the non-inclusion of Health Secretary and PhilHealth chairman Francisco Duque III in the list of those recommended for criminal charges......»»
PhilHealth probe report: Morales faces raps, Duque spared
The multi-agency task force that investigated alleged anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has recommended the filing of multiple criminal and administrative charges against resigned PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales and several senior officials of the agency, mostly members of the executive committee......»»
NBI urged: Preserve integrity of PhilHealth probe
Amid the new doubts rising on the investigations of alleged anomalies at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to protect the integrity of the government’s investigation into systemic and systematic corruption within the agency. In a statement, the senator said that upon receiving […] The post NBI urged: Preserve integrity of PhilHealth probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go to Ombudsman: Probe PhilHealth anomalies
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday asked the Ombudsman to investigate alleged anomalies at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to expose corrupt officials at the agency. “Please get to the bottom of this mess. Kailangan nating malaman kung sino ang mga nasa likod ng kalokohan na ito, kung mayroon mang mga mafia, kung sino […] The post Go to Ombudsman: Probe PhilHealth anomalies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House panel to probe PhilHealth anomalies Wednesday
The House Committee on Public Accounts is investigating the alleged irregularities and “systemic” corruption in the State-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Wednesday. (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Anakalusugan partylist Rep. MIchael “Mike” Defensor, chairman of the panel, said the investigation was initially scheduled on Monday but they decided to reschedule it to Wednesday to ensure that invitations have been sent out to resource persons. “Sa Wednesday tayo (We will conduct the hearing on Wednesday), kasi dapat nga bukas talaga itong hearing (the hearing was initially scheduled tomorrow) pero (but) nakiusap sila (they appealed) na Wednesday na isagawa (that it be conducted on Wednesday) dahil sa kailangan ng oras sa imbitasyon (because more time is needed to send out invitations),” Defensor said. He said among those who are expected to attend the hearing are PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales and former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Keith who claimed that top agency officials are involved in the corruption. In a statement, Defensor said they are expecting Keith to shed light more on his allegations that millions of overseas Filipino workers should not be burdened to pay for the “spillages” of the agency as stated in his resignation letter. “Mr. Keith should explain what these spillages are, what are the instances of corruption in the State health insurance firm, and who are the officials and personnel involved,” he said. Keith’s resignation letter was circulated on social media. In that letter, he stated that his salary has not been given on time since he started investigating PhilHealth officers allegedly involved in the corruption. “It should be noted that the PhilHealth has had its share of corruption issues in the past,” Defensor said He recalled that in June this year, Malacañang called out the PhilHealth for its supposed inaction to look into the missing P154-billion funds within the agency through “fraudulent schemes.” The House leader cited that in August 2019, the Commission on Audit (CoA) also called out PhilHealth for the surge in the number of cases and reimbursement claims of members, particularly those from Rizal and Metro Manila for pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, sepsis, and other diseases. He attributed that tens of billion in “overpayments” to the prevailing all-case rates (ACR) payment mechanism. “The case-rate system, under which there is a fixed cost for the treatment of certain diseases and for procedures, is really a loophole that is resulting in billions of losses on the part of PhilHealth. It is not surprising that it maybe a source of corruption,” he said. According to him, under the ACR payment mechanism, PhilHealth pays the hospital the “case rate even if the cost incurred by a member is much, much less.” “For instance, the case package for mild pneumonia is about P44,000. A hospital could declare that it treated a PhilHealth member for pneumonia even if he had only colds and fever,” he said. He laments that in some instances, a simple eye procedure was claimed as a cataract operation. Defensor said the PhilHealth should bill the actual cost of treatment or procedure, and that the case rates be declared as cost limits. He asked the PhilHealth officials to look into numerous claims for payment or reimbursement for the same or similar diseases or procedures, and involving the same doctors, clinics, or hospitals. “This has happened with pneumonia, eye problems, and dialysis and kidney ailments. They should have learned their lesson. It cannot continue to happen, unless some officials and personnel are involved in corruption,” he said. Defensor had filed House Resolution No. 1069 seeking motu proprio investigation on the corruption issues hounding PhilHealth that led to the resignation of several personalities. “When there seems to be a pattern of alleged abuses where loopholes can be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous, a systemic change needs to be done to overhaul the present set up,” he said......»»
Duterte orders probe into alleged anomalies surrounding PhilHealth
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into the alleged anomalies surrounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation......»»
PhilHealth under probe for alleged anomalies
PhilHealth under probe for alleged anomalies.....»»
ACT solon moves to probe efforts to jumpstart Cha-cha
MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking to investigate the reported signature-buying and the alleged use of public funds to push for constitutional reform or Charter change (Cha-cha) through the “so-called” people’s initiative (PI), has been filed in the House of Representatives. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Sunday that she electronically filed.....»»
Former Iloilo solon hurdles graft charges
The Sandiganbayan announced on Friday that it has cleared former Iloilo lawmaker Niel Tupas Jr. of graft and malversation raps over the alleged anomalous utilization of his P4.8-million pork barrel funds to a non-government organization in 2008. In a 99-page ruling dated 13 September but was released only on Friday, the anti-graft court’s Special Fourth Division found Tupas not guilty of breaching Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and Malversation through Falsification of Public Documents. His co-accused, Rhodora Mendoza and Romulo Relevo, ex-administrative and finance head, and ex-general services unit head respectively, of the now-defunct National Agri-Business Corporation or NABCOR, were also acquitted of the same charges for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Filed by the Ombudsman in 2018, the case stemmed from the supposed misuse of Tupas’ Priority Development Assistance Fund worth P4,850,000 in 2008, supposedly intended to fund agricultural livelihood programs for Iloilo farmers. The funds were supposed to buy hand tractors, water pumps and grafted fruit seedlings, according to the Ombudsman. Tupas was accused of funneling his pork barrel to dubious NGO Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay Para sa Masa Foundation Inc. by utilizing the NABCOR as an intermediary. According to the Ombudsman, Tupas “unilaterally chose” and “indorsed” KKAMFI as a project partner to implement his livelihood projects for his district, notwithstanding that the foundation was “unaccredited” and “unqualified” to undertake such. Tupas and his co-respondents were accused of acting with manifest partially and evident bad faith by giving unwarranted benefits and advantages to the KKAMFI. The probe revealed that NABCOR and KKMFI entered into a memorandum of agreement on the purported implementation of Tupas’ PDAF-funded projects. NABCOR’s Mendoza and Relevo facilitated the disbursement of P4,850,000 to the foundation. The post Former Iloilo solon hurdles graft charges appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US urges ‘thorough’ Saudi probe into alleged killings of Ethiopian migrants
The United States on Monday voiced concern over a Human Rights Watch report that Saudi border guards killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and urged a full investigation. "We have raised our concerns about these allegations with the Saudi government," a State Department spokesperson said. "We urge the Saudi authorities to undertake a thorough and transparent investigation and also to meet their obligations under international law." The State Department said that the land border guards implicated in the report did not receive any US government funding or training. The United States is a longstanding security partner of oil producer Saudi Arabia but has a fraught relationship over human rights, with President Joe Biden's administration criticizing the kingdom even while it pursues engagement. Human Rights Watch in its report said that Saudi border guards "fired like rain" on Ethiopian migrants as they tried to cross from Yemen, killing hundreds last year. A Saudi government source earlier called the allegations "unfounded." The post US urges ‘thorough’ Saudi probe into alleged killings of Ethiopian migrants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cagayan province officials cited in contempt
Members of the House of Representatives public accounts and the suffrage and electoral reforms panel has cited in contempt five officials of the Cagayan province during the probe on the provincial government’s alleged illegal use of government funds during the 2022 election campaign period. This comes as provincial accountant Jeanna Garma, treasurer Mila Mallonga, budget officer Reynald Raul Ramirez, agriculturist Dr. Pearlita Mabasa and social welfare officer Helen Donato did not show up in the probe amid the subpoena issued to them during the 21 May hearing. On Monday’s joint hearing on House Resolutions 145 and 146, lawmakers blasted the officials not only on their non-appearance but also over their “flimsy excuses.” The resolutions, filed by Cagayan Representative Jojo Lara, seek to delve deeper into the alleged anomalies during the May 2022 polls in Cagayan, in which the provincial was accused of illegally spending its expenditures and distributing cash and other forms of assistance to registered voters and barangays. Public accounts chairperson Joseph Stephen Paduano, in his opening speech, revealed that a P320 million was distributed to voters of Cagayan in the guise of P1,000 Covid-19 assistance during the campaign period. During the hearing, public accounts chairperson Joseph Stephen Paduano told the panel that the provincial administrator sent a letter to the committee on 4 August requesting that the 17 officials from Cagayan, including Governor Manuel Mamba, and the five subpoenaed be excused citing the lack of funds for transportation as one of the reasons. According to the unnamed provincial administrator, the Cagayan province, which had been placed under a state of calamity due to the devastation of typhoon “Egay,” continues to operate under a “reenacted budget.” However, that did not sit well with several lawmakers, with Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop, who categorically thumbed down the claim of a limited fund that could not cover the travel expenses of the 17 officials who will spend at least four days in Metro Manila. “The first reason — which was the state of calamity — is correct. I don’t know if the second reason — the reenacted budget — is true. Only the vice governor can answer that. And for the third reason that their funds are said to be insufficient, I wouldn’t believe this, Mr. Chair. Because if they were able to disburse P320 million one week before the election, I do not see any reason why they cannot fund for this purpose, Mr. Chair,” Acop said. Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, for his part, brushed off the notion that the reenacted budget was the reason from sending the officials. “It’s true. We are operating on a reenacted budget. But that doesn’t mean that it is stopped and we are limited. That’s why it’s called reenacted because the service is continuing. It’s not a reason to cite that we are limited to with travel because they have been doing that in a few years,” Vargas told the panel. Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, meanwhile, claimed that the officials of the provincial government were just making “flimsy excuses.” The post Cagayan province officials cited in contempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon: Probe DoJ, NBI for smuggling
the government to also probe the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation in the incidents of smuggling, hoarding and price fixing of agricultural products — mainly onions — in the country. In a radio interview, Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. recommended to include the DoJ and NBI for their alleged “non-action” against smugglers despite the existence of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. “Also very important to investigate are the National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, because we have the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act as of 2016 which unfortunately, from 2016 until now, no case has been filed against persons who violated the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016,” the lawmaker said. Barzaga, who chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources, was one of the House agriculture and food panel members that grilled trade and warehouse firms for their alleged involvement in onion smuggling. He also stressed that apart from the DoJ and NBI, the Bureau of Plant and Industry, Bureau of Customs, importers and cold storage facilities owners should also be investigated. Barzaga questioned why the BoC — which jurisdiction includes going after smugglers and hoarders — could not cease the unscrupulous scheme. In fact, he said, some of its officers are allegedly involved in the operations. “Why is there smuggling when everyone goes through the Bureau of Customs? And therefore, there are persons in the Bureau of Customs who were allegedly involved,” Barzaga said. Previously, the President — who also sits as the DA secretary — tapped the DoJ and NBI on Wednesday to initiate an investigation into the issue, which he deemed tantamount to economic sabotage. The post Solon: Probe DoJ, NBI for smuggling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon seeks probe vs alleged NIA’s ‘institutional corruption’
Senator Raffy Tulfo lambasted several incomplete projects of the National Irrigation Administration due to alleged “institutional corruption” by its contractors, causing trouble to the country’s irrigation program. Amid corruption issues, Tulfo is urging his colleagues to conduct an inquiry on NIA’s “wastage of billions of pesos” for irrigation development and restoration. “I won’t hesitate anymore and I will expose that the government is wasting billions of pesos with NIA,” said the senator on Wednesday. He also stressed that the government-owned and controlled irrigation corporation has been given a total budget of P121 billion for the past six years. Tulfo lamented NIA has started several projects with its contractors in the last five years and yet, despite having the Notice to Proceed, none was ever completed until now. While NIA said it did not release the full amount to contractors, Tulfo said there was no reason for the department to hold the budget intended for addressing the needs of the farmers such as farm machinery, fertilizer subsidies, and livelihood capital. “Aside from this, NIA did not publicize some contracts,” said Tulfo, stressing the importance of public bidding as he criticized the underperformance of the NIA’s contractors despite continuously awarding them with projects for irrigation projects. “This is an undeniable red flag of institutional corruption. We give these contractors the people’s tax money and they just give us falsified reports of their accomplishment to help them in corruption,” Tulfo said. The lawmaker identified the four contractors allegedly being favored by NIA which include Oscar Sarmiento Construction Inc. (Sta. Mesa, Manila), R.D. Interior Junior Construction (Quezon City), J.D. Construction and Supply (Makati City), and Brostan Construction (Caloocan City). “These are just among contractors that have been continuously awarded with projects by NIA despite not finishing their contracts,” said the senator. Tulfo said some of these contractors were even put on the blacklist by NIA. He said his office obtained documents, revealing that these contractors are just changing their company names which allow them again to join in the government’s bidding process after being blacklisted. He added there are also “ghost projects” worth P890 million, mostly in Mindanao, that were funded by the government, yet even a groundbreaking never happened. “There appears to be a wide-scale corruption scheme that has persisted for far too long,” said Tulfo, adding that there is a need to investigate the matter and make responsible individuals accountable for the corruption. “Our government is fighting for every peso of revenue, and we keep on increasing taxes for everyone, while we waste so many funds feeding corruption and ‘padrino systems’ in government infrastructure programs,” Tulfo said. The post Solon seeks probe vs alleged NIA’s ‘institutional corruption’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Probe sought vs ‘anomalies’ in Misamis road projects
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Occidental has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways central office in Manila to investigate the alleged unfair bidding practices at the DPWH provincial office......»»
Cayetano welcomes SEAG probe
Cayetano welcomes SEAG probe Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) – November 13, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is ready to face any investigation with regard to alleged anomalies involving the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros wanted to investigate. “All of these […].....»»
Cayetano welcomes SEAG probe
Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is ready to face any investigation with regard to alleged anomalies involving the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros wanted to investigate......»»
Senate to probe P20 billion NIA projects
The Senate is set to conduct an investigation into alleged anomalies in the procurement of nearly P20 billion worth of projects by the National Irrigation Administration last year......»»
Duterte affirms confidence in Duque, Villar
Two Cabinet members have earned praises anew from President Duterte for their integrity and competence. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) In a meeting on the government’s typhoon response Monday, the President has voiced his confidence in Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, saying he cannot find a reason to suspend him.The President also described Public Highways Secretary Mark Villar as “an honest man,” adding that he needs his expertise in the Cabinet.Both Duque and Villar were present in the meeting with the President, other Cabinet members and government officials at the Malago clubhouse in Malacañang Park to discuss disaster response and relief efforts Monday.The President first commended Duque after the latter delivered his report on the Department of Health’s efforts to address the needs of the communities hit by typhoon Rolly.“Thank you, Secretary Duque. It was a good report. Ang nahalata ko dito sa panahon mo is the surveillance and the vigilance in keeping track of possible outbreaks, I like that, and you have been doing it,” Duterte said.“That’s why I cannot find any plausible or even a meager argument for your — for your suspension. Wala akong nakitang ano — ang trabaho mo maganda (I cannot see… your work is good). The surveillance that you are doing and the vigilance sa public health is amply protected,” he said.Some lawmakers earlier called for the removal and prosecution of Duque over the alleged irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The President, however, has rejected calls for Duque’s dismissal, saying he has not stolen public funds.In the same meeting, the President said he has no question about the integrity of Villar.“Not only that he is honest, he has money. Siya ang — may pera siya (He has money) and I do not question his integrity or loyalty,” Duterte said about the DPWH secretary.“If not, bakit nandito pa nga siya sa Cabinet? Meaning to say that kailangan ko siya (If not, why is he still in the Cabinet? Meaning to say, I need him). I need his expertise, his talent,” he said.The President earlier directed the Department of Justice to conduct allegations of corruption in the entire government and prosecute those involved. Frustrated with the rampant corruption in the bureaucracy, Duterte told the DOJ to expand its corruption probe on PhilHealth to cover the Department of Public Works and Highways and other state agencies.Duterte, in his remarks Monday, lamented that corruption in government has persisted regardless of the sitting administration. He noted that long before his Cabinet members were appointed, corruption has already been prevalent in some agencies.He warned anew that those implicated in corruption in PhilHealth and other government offices would be held liable. He noted that several PhilHealth officials have already been placed on preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman pending a probe.“They are being investigated and if there’s enough evidence, they will be prosecuted in court. And eventually they will land in jail. And that could be a problem not only for the family and everybody,” he said......»»
Ombudsman to continue with own corruption probes parallel with ‘mega task force’
Ombudsman Samuel Martires assured that it will continue to conduct its own investigations into alleged anomalies in the government parallel with the anti-corruption task force formed by President Rodrigo Duterte to probe irregularities in the “entire government.”.....»»
Solon wants House probe on ambassador’s maltreatment of her household staff
The chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs on Tuesday called for a congressional investigation into the alleged maltreatment received by a Filipina domestic worker from her employer, Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro. TUCP Partylist Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza TUCP Partylist Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza aired the proposal as the TUCP condemned Mauro’s behavior against a fellow Filipino while abroad. The mistreatment of the 51-year-old household service worker was exposed in the Brazilian media when video clips surfaced showing Mauro beating her in their home. “We in labor are utterly shocked at the behavior that was exhibited by Ambassador Marichu Mauro in the videos that were released. It is absolutely disgusting for a civil servant, and someone supposedly representing the interests of the Filipino people in a foreign country to so cavalierly beat and mistreat her employees,” said Mendoza. He added: “And for what reason? Because she believes she is entitled to harm others who she may think to be in a lower station than her? “ “Our OFWs are hailed as our bagong bayani yet we cannot even protect them from abuse at the hands of our own diplomats!,” said Mendoza. Mauro has been recalled to home office and is now facing investigation by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mendoza said Mauro’s actions should be investigated , adding that legal charges should also be filed if the envoy and others were involved in the “savage treatment “ of the domestic helper. “There is abuse of our kapwa Filipino being done overseas, right under the very noses of our government! This is a very difficult situation, with the worker vulnerable and fearful for their job while in another country no less,” said Mendoza. The administration lawmaker also called on government to further strengthen its “mechanisms for reporting” instances of abuse against Filipino workers. “Should Ambassador Marichu Mauro be found guilty, she should be expelled from the foreign service. We are not tolerant of the abuse of workers, especially when we condemn the barbaric treatment our workers receive at the hands of their foreign employers,” the party-list lawmaker stated. .....»»