Task force submits to Palace findings on PhilHealth graft

The task force looking into allegations of corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Monday submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte its report on the alleged corruption and anomalies in the state health insurer.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said the task force talked to 14 witnesses in the course of seven hearings.

The task force also looked at reports and summaries of various cases, whether under investigation or for resolution; documents submitted by resource persons; and reports and recommendations by other bodies, including the Senate. Its report consists of 177 pages, including voluminous annexes.

Details of the findings, however, were not divulged.

As the task force awaits any further directives from Duterte, the DOJ said its composite teams will pursue further targeted investigations of specific acts of fraud or corruption committed by health providers and PhilHealth personnel alike.

Pending complaints and cases, meanwhile, will be resolved by the agencies concerned with dispatch.

PhilHealth is facing scrutiny over allegations of widespread corruption in the agency.

Both chambers of Congress have initiated inquiries and Duterte ordered Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to lead a separate investigation.

The Office of the Ombudsman has preventively suspended 13 PhilHealth officials. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News