Duterte forms task force to probe PhilHealth mess

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte ordered the creation of a task force that would investigate issues of corruption surrounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth), his spokesman said on Friday.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the task force, to be led by the Department of Justice (DoJ), would  be authorized to issue preventive suspensions against those being  investigated for alleged corruption allegations in the agency.

“Nakinig po si Presidente at umakto. Bagama’t wala pa pong mapapatunayan sa lalong mabilis na panahon, meron naman pong preventive suspension na mapangalagaan ang kaban ng (The President has listened and acted. Although nothing can be proven now, preventive suspension orders can be issued to  protect the funds of) PhilHealth,” Roque said during a virtual press briefing.

Also included in the task force are the Office of Ombudsman, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Presidential Anti Corruption Commission, Office of the Executive Secretary, and Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

Source: TheManila Times