The PhilHealth Workers for Hope, Integrity, Transparency, and Empowerment (PhilHealth-WHITE) union on Sunday welcomed the formation of an investigating panel under the Department of Justice to investigate the various allegations of corruption and mismanagement leveled against officials and employees of the corporation.
In a statement, the employees union expressed hope that this will "flush out the corrupt from among us and vindicate the honest and hardworking officers and employees."
"Over the past weeks, we have been bombarded almost daily by allegations and accusations, in the Senate, House of Representatives, the media, and even social media. All these have taken a toll on the mental and emotional health of the ordinary rank-and-file employee," they said.
"We are hopeful that the investigations will bring out the truth in all of these, once and for all, for the good of us all -- employees and the Filipino people whom we serve," they said.
The rank-and-file employees union also appealed to President Duterte to appoint a caretaker that will oversee the State-run health insurer.
"With the leave of absence of two of their most senior officers, and the resignation of one, we nonetheless call for President Duterte to put in charge a caretaker who is an expert in the field of health insurance with proven 'integrity and incorruptibility.'"
The group added that it should be someone who is not himself or herself under investigation and devoid of vested interest.
"PhilHealth-WHITE cannot be subservient to executives whose integrity is in question. The Chairperson of the PhilHealth Board, Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque, is no exception and should take a back seat being the subject of several investigations."
"By doing so, all doubts about whitewashing and cover-up would be dispelled, and we would therefore be ensured of a fair and honest investigation that will weed out the guilty, and not simply hang scapegoats," added the group.