PhilHealth: No ₱15-B lost to corruption

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth said the ₱15 billion believed by some to have been pocketed by certain individuals within the agency were used by hospitals in the government's COVID-19 response.

PhilHealth Spokesperson Rey Baleña told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon that the money was all accounted for.

"'Yung ₱15 billion na pinaniniwalaan ng ilan na nawawala, ito ay ibinulsa di umano. Gusto nating categorically na sabihin sa mga kababayan natin na ito po ay hindi nawawala. Ito po ay tinanggap ng 711 na mga health care facilities sa buong bansa bilang bahagi ng ating COVID response," Baleña said on Monday.

[Translation: The ₱15 billion that some believe have gone missing, that it was allegedly pocketed. We want to categorically say the money is not missing. This was accepted by 711 health care facilities nationwide as part of our COVID response.]

He added the funds were being liquidated by the recipients, with less than ₱2 billion liquidation reports still pending.

"As of late, ay mayroon na pong 87%, o kabuuang ₱13.03 billion ang mga naliquidate na ng mga ospital... Hindi ito nawawala. Hindi ito ibinulsa. Ito ay napunta sa mga ospital at nagamit sa mga pasyente," he said.

[Translation: As of late, 87% or P13.03 billion already liquidated by hospitals... The money is not missing. This went to hospitals and were used for patients.]

Baleña said PhilHealth has participated in all investigations regarding allegations of corruption in their agency, adding cases have already been filed against some individuals.

"Hayaan na po nating gumulong ang mga kaso na ito, at yung iba pang nagpapatuloy na imbestigasyon ay kami po ay patuloy na nakikipag-cooperate para malaman ang katotohanan," he said.

[Translation: Let these cases run their course, and we will continue to cooperate with the investigations so the truth can be known.]