Guevarra: Task force has goods on PhilHealth execs in graft probe
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has disclosed that Task Force PhilHealth has found sufficient evidence against the state insurer’s officials implicated in alleged corruption.
“For those na na-identified na namin, I think we have sufficient evidence para ma-consider ito ng Ombudsman for the possible finding of probable cause,” Guevarra said.
“But we will not preempt the Ombudsman,” he added.
Task Force PhilHealth has submitted to President Duterte the report on its investigation regarding allegations of corruption and anomalies in PhilHealth.
In its 177-page report, the Task Force concluded that “persons who are supposed to set the policies and operational guidelines for the management of PhilHealth – the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee – have not shown the due diligence required of them in the discharge of their duties.”
The Task Force recommended the filing of criminal complaints against the following officers of PhilHealth:
- President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Ricardo C. Morales, for: violation of Sections 3(e), (g) of RA No. 3019; Malversation of Public Funds or Property and Illegal Use of Public Funds or Property under the Revised Penal Code; and violation of Sections 251, 255 and 272 of the National Internal Revenue Code;
- Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Arnel De Jesus for violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019;
- Senior Vice President Jovita V. Aragona, Chief Information Officer and Head of the Information Management Sector, for: violation of Sections 3(a), (e), (g) of RA No. 3019; Frauds against the public treasury and similar offenses under the Revised Penal Code;
- Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco, Jr. for: violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019; and Malversation of Public Funds or Property under the Revised Penal Code;
- Senior Vice President Israel Francis A. Pargas of the Health Financial Policy Sector for: violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019;
- Officer in Charge Calixto Gabuya, Jr. for: violation of Sections 3(e), (g) of RA No. 3019; and Frauds against the public treasury and similar offenses under the Revised Penal Code; and
- Division Chief Bobby A. Crisostomo for violation of Section 3(a) of RA No. 3019.
The Task Force also recommended that administrative charges for, among others, dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, be filed against these individuals.
The Task Force said that its composite teams are still continuing with the investigations to determine the liability of others involved in similar or other wrongful practices in PhilHealth.
