Tag: conflict of interest

On the Reported Shouting Match over Corruption at PhilHealth

Unabated corruption and mismanagement of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds has been a topic of discussion among Senate President Sotto and me, along with some senators from the majority bloc, for quite some time now.

But the reported shouting match in a recent virtual conference between the PhilHealth president and some board members involving almost P1 billion worth of questionable transactions, including a total overprice of P98 million – if true, says it all.

I am now drafting a resolution calling for a Senate Committee of the Whole inquiry. As expressed by SP Sotto to me last night, this inquiry will be one of the Senate’s top agenda after our session resumes on Monday.

That such corruption occurred amid the COVID-19 crisis makes it more disgusting and abominable. Nakakasuya na sobra. Needless to say, there is urgency that the Senate has to act on the matter immediately, as part of its oversight mandate, having passed the Universal Health Law.

When the Senate investigated issues surrounding PhilHealth and the Department of Health – including instances of conflict of interest involving the family of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III with the family-owned Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc. having contracts with the Department of Health, and the PhilHealth regional office renting a Duque-owned building; and with the Secretary’s pattern of failure prompting 14 of us in the Senate to file a resolution seeking his resignation – we had high hopes the shenanigans at PhilHealth would end with a new leadership. Sad to say, how wrong we were.

*****

QUOTES from DZBB/GNTV INTERVIEW:
Continue reading “On the Reported Shouting Match over Corruption at PhilHealth”

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Europe Trip, Reward for Questionable PhilHealth Action? | Aug. 18, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson questioned the trip to Europe of at least one PhilHealth official following the PhilHealth board’s reversal of a decision of the Court of Appeals. Sen. Lacson also answered questions on:
– special audit needed for PhilHealth
– PhilHealth ‘mafia’
– conflict of interest involving DOH Sec Duque and kin

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: Europe Trip, Reward for Questionable PhilHealth Action? | Aug. 18, 2019”

Interview on DZBB/GNTV: PhilHealth Mafia, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 15, 2019

In an interview on DZBB/GNTV, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– PhilHealth mafia and related irregularities
– revisiting existing anti-graft laws

Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DZBB/GNTV: PhilHealth Mafia, Revisiting Anti-Graft Laws | Aug. 15, 2019”

A Closer Look: Doctors Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Philhealth_DOH Privilege Speech_page-0068

Doctors Pharmaceuticals Inc., owned by the family of DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III, seems to be a “lucky” business entity that sets aside health for wealth, as shown by the following documents.

Related:
Privilege Speech: PhilWealth and Department of Wealth
At a Glance: PhilWealth and Department of Wealth
Continue reading “A Closer Look: Doctors Pharmaceuticals, Inc.”

At a Glance: PhilWealth and Department of Wealth

Philhealth_DOH Privilege Speech_page-0001

“Here’s the paradox: the financial health of PhilHealth is fast deteriorating, and in fact, in a state of coma. The policies in place engender fraud and corruption and the crooks exploit the system.” – Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, in his privilege speech on July 29, 2019

Related:
Privilege Speech: PhilWealth and Department of Wealth
A Closer Look: Doctors Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Continue reading “At a Glance: PhilWealth and Department of Wealth”