The task force investigating anomalies at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is set to conclude its hearings next week.
“We’ll wind up our hearings next week, thereafter analyze and consolidate all the information and evidence that we have gathered, and proceed to prepare our report with recommendations to the President,” Task Force PhilHealth convenor and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.
“Our deadline for the submission of the report is on 14 Sept. 2020, but our composite teams will continue with their investigation of the more complicated PhilHealth cases of graft or fraud and file the appropriate legal action even beyond that termination date,” he assured.
Guevarra formed Task Force PhiHealth last Aug. 7 pursuant to the directive of Duterte who wanted the government corporation 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.
“Meantime, participating agencies, such as the NBI, PACC, AMLC, and COA will try to conclude some of their ongoing investigations or special audits, while the OMB and the CSC will exert efforts to resolve PhilHealth cases already pending with their offices,” Guevarra said.
DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete said that the task force has invited to its hearings former and current officials of PhilHealth to shed light on the alleged anomalies.
“We already heard twelve witnesses so far,” said the DOJ spokesman.
Perete disclosed another witness has confirmed appearance for the task force’s next hearing this Monday, Sept. 7.