Duque hindi sang-ayon na makasuhan sa PhilHealth mess: ‘I intend to clear my name’

Dismayado si Health Sec. Francisco Duque III sa pagkakasali niya sa mga pinakakasuhan ng Senado kaugnay ng kontrobersya ukol sa umano’y korupsyon sa loob ng Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“I just finished a series of meetings and was only informed of the sponsorship speech of Senate President Sotto on the findings of the Committee of the Whole on PhilHealth just now.”

Si Duque ang chairman ng PhilHealth board, pero ayon sa kanya, non-voting ang kanyang posisyon sa state-health insurance. Ibig sabihin, hindi ikinokonsidera ang boto niya sa mga deliberasyon ng board.

“As a non-voting Chairman under Universal Healthcare Law, it is unfortunate that I was impleaded in the alleged IRM irregularities when I was not even present during the deliberation nor did I sign the Board Resolution.”

Binigyang diin ng kalihim ang pakikipagtulungan niya sa mga mambabatas na nag-iimbestiga sa issue.

“This is not the best time for the Executive to have a difference with the Legislative branch, but two weeks ago I went to the Senate to shed light on the issues based on my personal knowledge.”

Kabilang ang Health secretary sa mga inirerekomenda ng mga Senador na kasuhan dahil sa nadiskubreng korupsyon sa loob ng ahensya. Kasama niyang pinakakasuhan ang mga nag-resign na sina PhilHealth president and CEO retired B/Gen. Ricardo Morales Jr., at executive vice president Arnel de Jesus.

Pati na ang mga senior vice president’s na sina Renato Limsiaco (for fund management sector), Israel Francis Pargas (for health financial policy sector), at iba pang dawit sa sinasabing iligal na implementasyon ng interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM).

Sa kabila nito, nangako ng pakikipagtulungan sa imbestigasyon si Duque.

“As I have previously stated, I will cooperate with my any inquiry on the matter by the concerned government agencies. Certainly, I intend to clear my name.” (Daris Jose)