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Guevarra defends Duterte's choice of Gierran as PhilHealth chief

Philippines | National

Guevarra defends Duterte's choice of Gierran as PhilHealth chief

By Jeffrey Damicog

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday, Sept. 2, defended President Duterte’s decision in choosing retired National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran to head the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO /MANILA BULLETIN)

Guevarra said “Atty. Gierran's co-workers and subordinates at the NBI spoke highly of his administrative skills.”

“PhilHealth is an insurance provider more than a health care institution,” the secretary said.

“So Atty. Gierran's lack of health expertise does not make him less qualified for the top executive position in the corporation,” he assured.

Gierran, who is also a certified public accountant, replaced resigned PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales who stepped down last week.

Guevarra is the convener of Task Force Philhealth which is currently investigating anomalies at the government corporation.

He formed Task Force PhiHealth last Aug. 7 pursuant to the directive of Duterte who wanted the state health insurer investigated over corruption allegations.

The task force is composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), the Commission on Audit (COA), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the National Prosecution Service (NPS), and the NBI.

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