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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PhilHealth probe pushes thru on Tuesday amid Senate ECQ

PhilHealth probe pushes thru on Tuesday amid Senate ECQ

Published Aug 3, 2020 11:14 am

The Senate legislative inquiry on the alleged irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will push through Tuesday.

(MANILA BULLETIN)

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday that legislative hearings will not be affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that will be implemented in the Senate in the next two weeks.

"Hearings will not be covered by our ECQ. Tuloy Philhealth (hearing) tomorrow (Our PhilHealth hearing will push through tomorrow)," Sotto said.

Sotto had earlier confirmed the plan to place the Senate under ECQ following the call of healthcare workers for stricter quarantine measures in Mega Manila to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases.

He said the proposal had the support of the majority of the senators, including members of the minority bloc. The two-week ECQ will be approved by members of the Senate and declared during their plenary session Monday.

The Senate will convene as a Committee of the Whole Tuesday to inquire on the allegations of "widespread corruption" in the PhilHealth, including the operation of a so-called "mafia" that has allegedly been responsible for the irregularities in the agency.

Sotto said witnesses are expected to show up to shed light into the alleged anomalies within the State health insurer.

PhilHealth executives have been invited to the hearing to explain their side. The physical presence of the resource persons was required, Sotto said.

Meanwhile, the Senate chief said the upcoming bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed Bayanihan 2 law could also push through virtually.

The bill has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading.

"We are just waiting for house to pass and to elect its conferees then we can meet to discuss which can be done online," said Sen. Sonny Angara, Senate Committee on Finance chair and sponsor of the Senate's proposed "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act."

"Ratification of the bicam report is another thing. That may require some physical presence however brief," he noted.

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