THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a string of charges against 21 officials and employees of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in connection with the controversial ghost dialysis treatment scam.

In a press conference, NBI Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman III said the Philhealth officials were charged with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic 10606 or the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The respondents were members of the Accreditation Sub-Committee from PhilHealth Regional Office National Capital Region(PRO-NCR).

They are:

1. Dr. Rizza Majella L. Herrera

2. Dr. Bernadette C. Lico

3. Dr. Janice Gem P. Perlas

4. Dr. Leilani Cherillina Joy V. Asprer

5. Dr. Rofien Ison

6. Dr. Manuel Lampitoc

7. Atty. Recto M. Panti

8. Mr. Henry V. Almanon

9. Dr. Jeffrey C. Pe

10. Ms. Cheryl P. Welan

11. Ms. Lolita V. Tuliao

12. Dr. Quintin T. Callueng

13. Atty. Mary Grace G. Delos Santos

14. Ms. Maricel Maglalang

15. Ms. Susan Rebecca Romero

16. Ms. Yvonne A. Fernandez

17. Dr. Katrina Marie J. Aguilar

18. Dr. Cynthia P. Camacho

19. Dr. Imelda Trinidad De Vera-Pe

20. Dr. Arsenio D. Alcantara

21. Dr. Letecia Gay D. Aguda

According to de Guzman, the respondents allegedly approved the 2019 accreditation of WellMed Dialysis and Treatment Center despite investigation by the PhilHealth’s Fact-Finding Investigation and Enforcement Department into the allegedly fraudulent claims of the company.

“PRO-NCR did not conduct periodic monitoring of the Health Care Institution (HCI), as in this case WellMed,” said de Guzman.

Periodic monitoring means conducting utilization review and/or visitation of the facility by the inspecting team.

Despite a recommendation to withdraw WellMed’s accreditation, the PhilHealth’s Accreditation Sub-Committee still processed its claims, the NBI said.