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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senator says new PhilHealth chief has no public health background; still 'wish him well' for members' sake

Senator says new PhilHealth chief has no public health background; still 'wish him well' for members' sake

Published Sep 1, 2020 01:02 pm

Senator Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday expressed "serious" reservations on the appointment of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Dante Gierran as the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Philippine Heath Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Senator Francis Pangilinan (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)

Aside from questioning the government's approach to solving the corruption and mismanagement issues in the state insurer, Pangilinan cited the mandated qualifications for a PhilHealth head.

"I have serious misgivings about the appointment given that we clear(ly) need a more wholistic rather than a simplistic law enforcement approach to the cancer confronting Philhealth in particular and the COVID health crisis in general," Pangilinan said.

"There is also a question regarding his qualifications considering his lack of experience in the field of public health that Malacanang chose to ignore. His predecessor too had no public health experience and that ended terribly for Philhealth," he added.

Under the Universal Health Care Act which amended the 1995 national heath insurance law, the PhilHealth president and CEO shall be appointed from the PhilHealth Board’s non-ex officio members and upon the recommendation of the members of the Board.

The law specifically stated that "the Board cannot recommend a President and CEO of PhilHealth unless the member is a Filipino citizen and must have at least seven years of experience in the field of public health, management, finance, and health economics or a combination of any of these expertise."

Gierran will be replacing retired Brigidier General Ricardo Morales, who resigned last week as PhilHealth president and CEO following President Duterte's directive. Duterte reportedly said that it would be "best" for him to step down due to his health condition.

During the Senate Committee of the Whole's investigation on the claims of corruption and irregularities in the PhilHealth, senators also quizzed Morales about his competence to lead the government health insurer.

Senator Grace Poe had noted that Morales had no experience in public health and finance to fulfill the legal qualifications as PhilHealth president and chief.

Morales, who was appointed last year following the discovery of the "ghost" dialysis claims being made in the PhilHealth, conceded to the senator's observation, but he cited his administrative experience in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Gierran, on the other hand, is a certified public accountant and a lawyer. In an interview on Tuesday, he admitted that he has no background in public health but said he has knowledge on financial management.

Despite his misgivings, Pangilinan said he still wishes Gierran success in addressing the problems in the PhilHealth.

"For the sake of Philhealth, my serious misgivings notwithstanding, I hope he succeeds where others have failed," Pangilinan said.

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