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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Morales: No irregularities in PhilHealth operations but corruption probe underway

Morales: No irregularities in PhilHealth operations but corruption probe underway

Published Jul 24, 2020 12:30 pm

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President  Ricardo Morales said that they are in the process of investigating the corruption issues hounding the agency but claims they have yet to find any irregularity in its operations. 

PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

“Iyong sinasabi na korapsyon--- na may sindikato, na may mafia, wala hong ebidensya. Wala pa ,” said Morales in a radio interview on Friday.

“Sa isang araw, 50,000 transactions yung hina-handle ng PhilHealth. Palagay ko naman kung hindi corruption, ‘yung mga inefficiencies diyan, mali ang pasok kulang ,” he added. 

Morales said Thorrsson Montes Keith, the anti-fraud legal officer who tendered his resignation, should have presented evidence if there was illegal activity within the agency. 

“Meron pala syang alam na corruption eh di sana inilabas nya ,” said the state-health insurer chief, saying that Keith was only a “contractual employee.”

“Mag-aantay pa siya ng August 31, gawin na niyang lunes o ngayon dahil detrimental na yung ano nya sa organisasyon . I think it would compromise the corporation for him to stay, to have access to resources ng korporasyon ,” he added. 

Morales had earlier confirmed to Manila Bulletin that Keith and his head executive assistant (HEA) Etrobal Laborte resigned from their respective positions. Based on his resignation letter given by a source, Keith claimed that there is “widespread corruption” in PhilHealth.

Morales said that Laborte quit his position this month in order to continue his “PhD studies.” Meanwhile, Corporate Legal Counsel Atty. Roberto Labe Jr. will not resign from his position. 

The PhilHealth chief said that Keith was turned down for a position “for which he was not qualified.”

“Pumunta sa akin ito, nag-aaply ng posisyon na hindi naman sya qualified. Kasi gusto nga nyang palitan si Bal Laborte. Hindi ko siya kilala, eh position of confidence iyong executive assistant ,” said Morales during the radio interview. 

“Sa tingin ko, hindi naman sya qualified doon kasi syempre dapat merong experience, training, attitude ,” he added. 

PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo said that their office has yet to receive Keith's  letter of resignation. 

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