PhilHealth COO John Basa to assume post as OIC —Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday announced that Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Basa would be the corporation's officer-in-charge (OIC).

In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita, Duque, however, clarified that Basa is still abroad.

In the meantime, Dennis Mas, senior vice president of PhilHealth's Management Services Sector, was temporarily appointed as the OIC.

"OIC lang siya habang wala 'yung COO kasi ang utos ni Pangulo, give it to the next in rank. Ang next in rank ni Dr. Ferrer ay si Mr. John Basa, nasa Amerika. Dadating pa lang sa Lunes," Duque said.

"Habang wala si Basa, itinalaga si Dennis Mas na maging OIC," he added.

Earlier reports said President Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing a certain Dr. Jaime Cruz as the next president of PhilHealth. Cruz has yet to accept the President's offer.

Duterte has directed PhilHealth president Roy Ferrer and its board members to submit their courtesy resignations amid allegations of ghost dialysis treatments.

Duque said however that Duterte has yet to formally accept their courtesy resignation. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News