Public trust demands so (2)

Ian Alfredo Magno .

Last of two parts

THIS is the second part of the letter sent by Dennis B. Adre, Regional Vice President,  Philhealth Regional Office XI, to Health Secretary and Philhealth board chairman Francisco T. Duque III on Nov. 22, 2018.

Read on:

“2. Case of RVP Pamonag

“Dr. Miriam Grace Pamonag, Regional Vice President for PRO XII, was charged with grave misconduct for merely writing a letter requesting that the Christmas package being received by all employees, officers, as well as members of the Board, be granted to the employees of her Region;

“Her request was approved by the Executive Committee and then Acting President.  Funds for the Christmas package was also sent by the Finance Department.

“Yet, she was charged with grave misconduct and slapped with a 90-day preventive suspension order.

“The filing of the case against her was allegedly approved by the Board of Directors.

“Again, this can only be one of two things – the board is grossly misinformed or very, very careless.  Again, the undersigned prays that it is the former.

“3. Case of RVP Chavez

“Mr. William Chavez, Regional Vice President for PRO VII, was charged with gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct for high Turn Around Time (TAT).

“This is quite unfair since claims processing has been a perennial problem of Philhealth even during your term as PCEO and Secretary of Health / Chairman of Philhealth Board in 2002.  The inadequate policies, weak systems, and lack of adequate manpower cannot be attributed to the Regional Vice President alone, much less charge him for something beyond his control.

“And again, this can only be one of two things – the board is grossly misinformed or very, very careless.  And again, the undersigned prays that it is the former.

“4. The Case #2 of RVP Adre

“A second 90-day preventive suspension order anchored on a case of gross neglect of duty was slapped upon the undersigned shortly after reporting for work after serving the 90-day preventive suspension for case #1.  The case was based upon an Investigation Report dated 2002 or more than 16 years ago, allegedly for approving the claims filed by a subordinate Medical Officer whose practice was declared illegal due to conflict of interest.

“Assuming that the Corporation has a valid case, are not the officers who “slept on the supposed case” liable also for gross neglect? This “gross neglect of duty” happened 16 years ago when you were then Philhealth President and later Secretary of Health and Chairman of Philhealth Board.

“It must be recalled that when you were PCEO and later on DOH Secretary and Chairman of Philhealth Board, you had decided not to pursue any formal charge against the undersigned.

“And finally, this can only be one of two things – the board is grossly misinformed or very, very careless.  And finally, the undersigned prays that it is the former.

“It boggles the mind why the Corporation has suddenly resurrected such a case, instead of looking into why the cases of claims fraud involving billions of pesos have not been addressed.

“The undersigned, and the group of officers unfairly tagged as “mafia”, would like to reiterate that they have been consistent anti-fraud crusaders and fiscalizers of the Corporation.

“In fact, the current issues besetting Philhealth was submitted in a report you requested from the undersigned, submitted to you a couple of months after assuming the position of Secretary of Health.

“It must also be recalled that the group, now labeled “mafia” by media and APCEO Ferrer is the same group who visited you in GSIS before you were appointed Secretary of Health.   Back then, you expressed concern about the DOH and how Philhealth could eventually collapse due to mismanagement. What has happened?

“Finally, what’s so ironic are these facts:

“1. The Board has approved the filing of charges for gross neglect of duty with a preventive suspension for 90 days for an act that transpired more than 16 years ago

“2. The APCEO has formally charged and preventively suspended the undersigned for an offense that he has also been committing.

“3. After 16 years, you, together with the current Board, have approved the filing of  a case of gross neglect of duty against the undersigned for something which clearly, APCEO Ferrer, and the other members of the current Board are committing- unauthorized practice of profession, and clear conflict of interest.

“In the face of the upcoming approval of the UHC bill now pending in both houses of Congress, the undersigned hereby respectfully enjoins you, Mr. Chairman, and your Board to investigate with dispatch, and, with the same speed, vigor, and with equal fervor, the following crucial issues:

“1. The Bleeding of Philhealth funds caused by inaction of the Corporation on cases of Fraud costing billions;

“2. Bleeding of funds caused by the faulty Philhealth policies particularly overpayment under the all case rates scheme;

“3. Low if not irrelevant Philhealth support value;

“4. Lack of regulation on drugs and medical supplies, professional fees and hospital fees to arrest the cycle of inflation caused by weak internal policies;

“As public servants, you and the Board of Directors are duty bound to investigate and resolve these issues.  We owe it to the Filipino people.”

(Lawyer Ian Alfredo T. Magno is a legal head at Philhealth. E-mail: ianalfredom@gmail.com)