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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate probe on PhilHealth shows Duque liable for negligence -- Sotto

Senate probe on PhilHealth shows Duque liable for negligence -- Sotto

Published Oct 28, 2020 01:44 pm

As far as the Senate’s investigation into the corruption issues hounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is concerned, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is liable for negligence.

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

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said this on Wednesday when he was asked to comment on President Duterte’s insistence that Duque did not steal any money from the state health insurance agency.

“That’s the opinion of the President. As far as the Senate committee report is concerned, there was negligence,” Sotto said during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

“There was a violation of Article 217, under the Revised Penal Code. Perhaps they could say he did not steal any money. But in the Senate committee report, the findings are clear. There are violations committed by officials of PhilHealth, including the department officials, and the secretary of health,” the Senate leader said.

“But that ‘s the opinion of the President, what can I say?” he added.

The Senate Committee of the Whole, which Sotto chairs, had earlier recommended the filing of malversation and graft charges against Duque and several other personalities over the alleged questionable release of PhilHealth funds through the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) policy.

Duque, who serves as PhilHealth board’s ex-officio chairman, has denied the allegations and dismissed the findings of the Senate panel as “baseless,” arguing that he was not part of the deliberation nor did he sign the resolution.

The Senate panel also recommended the appointment of a new DOH secretary “who has a stronger will to fight corruption.”

However, President Duterte has repeatedly defended Duque and expressed his continued trust in the DOH chief.

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