Ombudsman suspends 13 PhilHealth officials
Photo Credit: Office of the Ombudsman Philippines Facebook Page
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of at least 13 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) officials in connection with the investigation over alleged irregularities and anomalies in the corporation.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires in his order dated August 18 identified the suspended PhilHealth officials as Roy Ferrer, Celestina Ma. Jude Dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, Dennis Mas, Shirley Domingo, Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr., Raul Dominc Badilla and Israel Pargas.
PhilHealth officials Angelito Grande, Lawrence Mijares and Leila Tuazon were also suspended along with Clementine Bautista and Eugenio Donatos II.
The Ombudsman ordered PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque to implement the order and requested them to submit a copy of proof of compliance.
PhilHealth tweeted (@teamphilhealth) that it has yet to receive a copy of the Ombudsman’s order as it emphasized that the officers are not aware of the charges against them. The health insurance company also said that it will issue a full statement as soon as it receives the order.
Justice Secretary and Task Force PhilHealth head Menardo Guevarra said that the Ombudsman’s decision to suspend PhilHealth officials is an independent action taken within the larger framework of Task Force PhilHealth.
The Ombudsman is part of Task Force PhilHealth that was created to investigate allegations of corruption in the corporation. Other members of the task force are the DOJ, Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Anti-Money Laundering Council, National Bureau of Investigation and National Prosecution Service.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires in his order dated August 18 identified the suspended PhilHealth officials as Roy Ferrer, Celestina Ma. Jude Dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, Dennis Mas, Shirley Domingo, Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr., Raul Dominc Badilla and Israel Pargas.
PhilHealth officials Angelito Grande, Lawrence Mijares and Leila Tuazon were also suspended along with Clementine Bautista and Eugenio Donatos II.
The Ombudsman ordered PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque to implement the order and requested them to submit a copy of proof of compliance.
PhilHealth tweeted (@teamphilhealth) that it has yet to receive a copy of the Ombudsman’s order as it emphasized that the officers are not aware of the charges against them. The health insurance company also said that it will issue a full statement as soon as it receives the order.
Justice Secretary and Task Force PhilHealth head Menardo Guevarra said that the Ombudsman’s decision to suspend PhilHealth officials is an independent action taken within the larger framework of Task Force PhilHealth.
The Ombudsman is part of Task Force PhilHealth that was created to investigate allegations of corruption in the corporation. Other members of the task force are the DOJ, Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Anti-Money Laundering Council, National Bureau of Investigation and National Prosecution Service.
