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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto suggests a businessman should lead PhilHealth this time

Sotto suggests a businessman should lead PhilHealth this time

Published Aug 6, 2020 11:05 am

If a retired general still cannot solve the corruption and mismanagement problems at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), maybe a wealthy businessman can.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that claims of irregularities in the agency have persisted over the years even as doctors and former military men have been appointed to lead the State-run corporation.

"Nasubukan na eh, sinubukan na doctor nung araw pa, hindi daw mahusay ang pagpapatakbo. Pinalitan ng military eh mukhang hindi din maayos 'yong takbo, business man ang ilagay mo  (We have tried, we have tried appointing doctors before, the management was reportedly not effective. We replaced them with a former military man, but it appears that it's not still effective; try appointing a businessman at the helm)," Sotto said in an online interview with reporters Wednesday.

"Dahil ang Philhealth negosyo, parang negosyo, business 'yan, eh (Because PhilHealth is like a business, it's a business). Kung meron kang businessman na magaling, na matino na makukumbinsi mo na tanggapin 'yan palagay ko 'yon ang solusyon (If you are able to convince a competent and right-minded businessman to accept the job, I think that is the solution)."

"Hindi mo kayang lokohin sa pera ang businessman, hindi mo kayang lokohin sa pera 'yon (Because you cannot fool a businessman when it comes to money, you can't fool one)," he continued.

The Senate Committee of the Whole led by Sotto started last Tuesday its probe on the alleged rampant corruption and anomalies within the PhilHealth.

During the hearing that ran for about 10 hours, senators grilled PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales about his repeated endorsement of the allegedly overpriced budget proposal for an Information Technology project, the questionable reimbursements of the PhilHealth to select non-COVID-19 hospitals, and the agency's financial status.

He was also questioned for his promotion of PhilHealth officials who figured in previous controversies which he said he was not aware of only until Tuesday's hearing.

Morales, a retired Army general, was appointed to lead the State health insurer after President Duterte told then acting president Dr. Roy Ferrer and other PhilHealth officials to resign due to the "ghost dialysis" mess last year.

"Kaya nga pipiliin mo 'yong businessman na ilalagay mo doon (That's why you have to carefully choose the businessman that you will place there). Kailangan 'yong businessman na ilalagay mo roon una sa lahat mayaman, pangalawa magaling (The businessman should first of all be wealthy, and second, competent)," Sotto said when asked on the possibility that PhilHealth may be used for a business interest.

"Eh kung tatanggapin nga lang ni Ramon Ang 'yan eh siguranong malinis yan (If only Ramon Ang will accept the job, then PhilHealth will be surely be clean)," Sotto said in jest.

"'Yong ganung klase ang ilagay mo doon, tignan mo 'pag hindi pa napakaganda ng takbo niyan (That type of businessman should be appointed there, the management would have been very effective)," he said, referring to the billionaire businessman.

Aside from the PhilHealth president, Sotto also urged the replacement of the other top executives.

"Kailangan malinis natin at matanggal natin pati 'yong mga duda, mga masasamang gawain, mga maling gawain, mga overpricing, mga pinag-aksayahang mga pondo (We should clean it up and remove any doubts, illegal activities, wrongdoings, overpricing, and mismanagement of funds)," he said.

"Kaya 'yon. Kaya ng administrasyon 'yon, kahit sinong admiinistrasyon kaya 'yon (The administration can do it. Any administration can do it)," he added.

Malacañang, however, maintained that Morales will remain in his post unless there is proof that he is indeed involved in corruption.

Sotto said he would also not yet ask for Morales's resignation to give him a chance to "come clean" in the resumption of their hearing next week.

PhilHealth has changed presidents over the last three years due to varying issues.

In 2018, Duterte also fired interim PhilHealth chief Dr. Celestina dela Serna over allegations of excessive travels and mismanagement of funds.

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