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PhilHealth execs asked to resign as probe starts

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has asked the board members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roy B. Ferrer, to turn in their resignation, according to Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence T. Go.

The President’s decision comes amid the recent allegations of irregularities in the agency involving a dialysis center in Quezon City that supposedly claimed payments for nonexistent patients.

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mr. Go, formerly the special assistant to the President, told reporters that Mr. Duterte last Sunday “asked” the members of the PhilHealth Board “to tender their resignation.”

The CEO, according to Mr. Go, was included although it appears that people simply got away under his nose.

“Nalusutan lang s‘ya [Mr. Ferrer] ng mga tao sa ibaba (People under him got away with it)…. Sabi naman niya ay ginawa naman nila ang lahat (He said they did their best),” Mr. Go said.

The PhilHealth board members were scheduled to meet with the President at the Palace Monday afternoon to present their report regarding the anomalous kidney treatments.

The incoming senator said he will “propose” to the President during the Cabinet meeting on Monday evening that there should be a “revamp” of the PhilHealth management “from top to bottom.”

He also said that the President wants a “retired military doctor or [a] lady police doctor” to head the agency.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing on Monday morning: “What I understand is the Phil[Health] Board has been conducting investigation and, in fact, has filed several administrative complaints. They are the ones [cleaning] the PhilHealth.”

NBI, POLICE
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started its probe on the alleged “ghost” recipients of the dialysis treatments at the WellMed Dialysis and Laboratory Center Corp. (WellMed).

The Department of Justice (DoJ) ordered the NBI to conduct the investigation and case build-up.

The NBI has already summoned the officers of WellMed.

Rowell D. Ilagan, lawyer of WellMed, said they will fully cooperate.

“We will cooperate in the investigation of the NBI, mas maganda na rin nasa (It is better that it is in the) proper forum,” Mr. Ilagan told reporters, adding that they have also filed their answer to PhilHealth, which is also conducting an investigation.

The lawyer said the whistleblowers are the ones who actually pocketed the money and they surfaced because they were caught.

Whistleblowers Edwin Roberto and Liezel Santos denied this.

“Paano po kami maiipit sa kompanya, kami po unang nag-complain sa kanila. Unang-una, kami po nag-complain sa (How can we be cornered by the company, when we were the first to complain against them. In the first place, we were the ones who complained to) PhilHealth against them,” said Mr. Roberto, who was assistant manager at WellMed when he resigned.

The whistleblowers also said that it took them some time to reach out to PhilHealth for documentation, adding that they received death threats from one of the owners of WellMed.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) is also looking into the matter, but PNP chief General Oscar D. Albayalde said they have yet to receive an order for a full-blown investigation.

“I think that is being investigated by the CIDG already,” Mr. Albayalde said in a press briefing on Monday.

“Kung talagang pinapaimbestiga sa atin ‘yung buong (If we are asked to investigate the whole) PhilHealth, then why not? We have to coordinate with PhilHealth also kasi hindi naman tayo basta-basta puwede pumasok sa kanilang (we cannot just enter their) agency without their cooperation or collaboration with them,” he added. — with Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Peso declines further vs dollar

peso bills
THE PESO weakened further as regional currencies declined on disappointing China trade data. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO weakened against the dollar on Monday, tracking regional currencies as the rally in emerging markets (EM) eased following weak China trade data.

The local currency closed at P52.10 against the greenback on Monday, six centavos weaker than Friday’s P52.04-per-dollar finish.

The peso opened the session slightly weaker at P52.05 against the dollar. It rose to as high as P51.99 during the session, while its worst intraday showing was logged at P52.18.

Trading volume increased to $1.02 billion from the $983.99 million that switched hands from the previous session.

“Peso pulled back on Monday, tracking regional currencies with the EM rally fading after China reported relatively disappointing trade numbers,” ING Bank N.V.-Manila Branch senior economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail.

“Regional currencies tracked the weakening bias for the yuan with the PBoC (People’s Bank of China) hinting that it would tolerate a weaker currency,” he added.

China’s exports unexpectedly returned to growth in May despite higher US tariffs, but imports fell the most in nearly three years in a further sign of weak domestic demand that could prompt Beijing to step up stimulus measures.

China’s May exports rose 1.1% from a year earlier, compared with market expectations for a modest decline, customs data showed.

Meanwhile, China’s May imports were much weaker than expected, falling 8.5%, the sharpest drop since July 2016. That left the country with a trade surplus of $41.65 billion for the month.

As trade pressures intensify, analysts believe China will loosen policy further in months ahead to shore up economic growth.

Meanwhile, Philstocks Financial Inc.’s Research Head Justino B. Calaycay, Jr. said in an email that expectations of “further monetary easing thru more cuts in banks’ reserve requirement ratios (RRR) lend a cycle of weakness to the currency.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas slashed the RRR of lenders by a percentage point effective May 31 to 17% for universal and commercial banks, 7% for thrift banks and 4% for rural and cooperative banks.

The local currency may continue to weaken today on expectations of an upbeat US consumer price index report, a trader said, added that the peso-dollar exchange rate might hover within the P52-P52.20 range. — K.E.S. Franco with Reuters

Duterte vows solutions to Manila airport woes

AMID REPORTS of flight delays and cancellations, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday made a surprise visit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)-Terminal 2, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo.

In a press briefing, Mr. Panelo said the President, during his visit, “apologized for the inconvenience to the public because of the delays.”

He added, “I understand the head of NAIA committed to the President and they are doing something about the problems.”

In a separate press conference, Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence T. Go said the President got angry over the situation

“Nagalit s‘ya (He got angry),” said the former Presidential aide, noting that the delays were apparently due to lightning strike alert.

“Mamaya pag-uusapan sa Gabinete kung ano pa pwedeng gawin (It will be discussed later in the Cabinet what can be done, [like] alternative airports tulad ng (like) Clark and Sangley,” he added.

In another statement, the Palace said, “A Philippine Airlines manager and a NAIA-Terminal 2 airport duty manager briefed the President on the flight woes and explained actions being undertaken to normalize the situation.”

Mr. Duterte, the statement said, “discussed how flight aberrations could be minimized and what actions could be employed by the government, particularly the Department of Transportation, to solve the problem in the long term.”

The President also “talked to the passengers apologizing to them on the inconvenience caused by the disruptions. The President vowed to come up with a remedy within a month.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Provincial prosecutor survives shooting in Oriental Mindoro

A PROVINCIAL prosecutor from Oriental Mindoro was shot Monday morning, sustaining five gunshot wounds and was to undergo surgery, an official from the Department of Justice (DoJ) said.

DoJ Undersecretary and Spokesperson Markk L. Perete confirmed that Provincial Prosecutor Josephine Caranto-Olivar was fired at while entering her house.

“PP Jo had to undergo a CT scan for the wounds she sustained in the body. All in all she sustained 5 gunshot wounds, 2 in the head and 3 in the body. She will have to undergo an operation for the wounds in the body,” Mr. Perete told reporters in a mobile phone message.

“The Department calls on our law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident that those responsible may be held to account before the law,” he added.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra added that the National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director’s Office has been instructed to probe the incident.

An international delegation of lawyers, citing reports, said last March that at least 37 members of the legal profession have been killed in the exercise of duty since June 2016 when President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

International group calls on Bello to investigate killings of local labor leaders

AN INTERNATIONAL labor coalition is calling on Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III to investigate the death of a local labor leader, the 43rd such case since President Rodrigo R. Duterte assumed office in June 2016. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Secretary General Sharon Burrow, in an open letter, said Mr. Bello should consider probing the killings that target labor organizers and union leaders. Partido Mangagawa labor organizer Leonides “Dennis” Sequeña was shot and killed last June 2 in Cavite. “We deplore the ongoing violence and assassinations targeting labour and human rights defenders in the Philippines. Extrajudicial killings must be stopped and the environment of impunity must come to an end. It is the responsibility of the government of the Philippines to ensure that the lives and personal security of workers and activists must be guaranteed and that they are able to exercise their basic rights without threats and fear,” she said in the letter dated June 5. Citing data from the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, ITUC said the 43 cases are on top of others filed before the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC), a DoLE attached agency, during previous administrations that remain pending. Partido Manggagawa Chair Renato B. Magtubo said in a statement on Monday, “We demand action from Secretary Bello to stop the series of extra-judicial killings of labor activists and trade unionists. As Labor Secretary, he must raise a voice against these killings. And we ask him to immediately convene the National Tripartite Monitoring Body (NTMB) which has the mandate to probe labor-related EJK’s.” — Gillian M. Cortez

Duterte concedes shift to federalism unlikely during his term

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte, who is midway into his six-year term, has said that the proposed shift to federalism, one of his campaign battle cries, may not be doable before he steps down. In a news conference at the Casa Roces restaurant in Malacañang complex on Monday afternoon, Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence T. Go said the government may have to focus first on its information drive on federalism. “‘Yung federalism, maybe kailangan po talaga ng (it really needs an) education campaign para maintindihan ng tao (so people will understand),” said the former special assistant to the President. “Sa ngayon, medyo malayo’t mahihirapan tayo (As of now, it is quite far off and it will be difficult for us [to pursue it]),” he added. Asked whether the President has accepted that it would be far-fetched to implement the federal system within his term, Mr. Go said: “Yes.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Former police intelligence head is new PDEA chief

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has appointed Gregorio R. Pimentel as new Deputy Director-General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The Palace released to reporters on Monday copies of Mr. Pimentel’s appointment paper, which Mr. Duterte signed on June 4. Mr. Pimentel, a former director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Intelligence, replaces Jesus A. Fajardo. “By virtue hereof, you may qualify and enter upon the performance of the duties of the office, furnishing this Office and the Civil Service Commission with copies of your oath of office,” the appointment paper reads. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Independence Day marks

Philippine flags are on display at the Araneta Center In Cubao as the country prepares for the 121st Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12, a national holiday. In Caloocan, a worker cleans around the Bonifacio Monument, one of the main venues of the commemoration activities.

Cebu tourism sector eye sea transport development to avoid congested roads

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism-Central Visayas (DOT-7) is now in talks with the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) for the development of an intra-province sea transportation access to serve as an alternative to land travel. DOT-7 regional director Shalimar H. Tamano said his office has already presented its proposal for sea transport options as a way of avoiding congested roads, especially in the Metro Cebu area. Aside from the CPA, Mr. Tamano said they are also coordinating closely with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr). He emphasized that it is important to provide utmost convenience, especially to tourists, and sea transport is one of the easiest solutions. Meanwhile, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa is initiating a discussion with the incoming local government leaders in Cebu City to provide a docking area for water taxis coming from Mactan Island. The resort’s general manager, Renè Egle, said in an interview that the docking area located in front of Il Corso mall at the South Road Properties is a good facility that can accommodate water taxis coming from the island to avoid heavy traffic on land. At present, Shangri-La Mactan is operating a water taxi service for guests coming from and going to the airport using the docking area near Marina Mall in Lapu-Lapu City. “We have the boat,” said Mr. Egle, adding that the problem now is the availability of a good docking area. The high-end resort also plans to talk to other resort properties along Punta Engaño like Movenpick to share the transportation service for guests going to the city. — The Freeman

Police chief admits failure of intelligence in journalist’s arrest but makes no apologies

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL Police (PNP) chief General Oscar D. Albayalde admitted there was a failure of intelligence after cops arrested a journalist whom they mistaken for a wanted person. “Basically, our law enforcers, ‘di naman kilala ‘yung (they don’t know the) subject… ‘yung complainant ‘yung mas nakakakilala (the complainant knows better). Ito (This) they based their actions on the informant,” said Mr. Albayalde in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, June 10. The police arrested on Sunday Davao Today columnist Fidelina Valle, 61, at the Laguindingan International Airport after she was mistaken for a certain Elsa Renton, who was reportedly a member of a communist movement.

Mr. Albayalde said such “isolated” cases of an arrest with a mistaken identity have happened before, and that they are ready to assist Ms. Valle if she was “violated” or harmed by the police during the arrest and wants to lodge a complaint. “We are glad to assist her…kung meron man siyang (If she has a) complaint, we will not hesitate to file charges against our people,” the PNP chief said. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

DENR-12 takes steps to protect areas where Philippine eagles have been spotted in SOCCSKSARGEN

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Region 12 is stepping up its campaign to help protect the Philippine Eagle by securing areas where they have been spotted. “Region 12 has recorded various sightings of the Philippine Eagle in the region. This is a good indication that these sightings from four provinces manifest that we still have healthy forests,” said DENR Regional Executive Director Red Nilo B. Tamoria during the launching of the Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) at the Atrium of Robinsons Place in General Santos City last week. Region 12 is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, and General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN). “Identifying these areas is crucial as basis to protect and conserve them to ensure their numbers will not decline,” Mr. Tamoria is quoted in a statement released by the agency. Leonisa C. Alfaro, assistant division chief of the Conservation and Development Division, said Philippine eagle sightings have been recorded in the Allah Valley Protected Landscape at Barangays Lamlahak and Tasiman of Lake Sebu within Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve, and Mount Sinaka of Arakan, North Cotabato. “There were already efforts to establish these areas as a critical habitat in partnership with the local government units (LGUs),” she said. The national bird has also been seen flying in Mount Busa, which is identified as key biodiversity area. Mapping on the site has already conducted and regular monitoring is slated for the coming year, she added. Ms. Alfaro said the DENR is working with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and LGUs to involve communities in the conservation efforts. “We are strengthening our monitoring by involving organized community groups as front liners in ensuring that this species should survive in the wild,” she said. As part of the risk management program, the PEF, through the DENR, recently sent a pair of Philippine eagles — named Geothermica (male) and Sambisig (female) — to the Jurong Bird Park operated by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS). “This move has been proposed to DENR 10 years ago as part of a larger risk management program for the species’ population,” PEF Executive Director Dennis I. Salvador said in an earlier interview. The Philippine Eagle Week, established through Presidential Proclamation No. 79 of 1999, is celebrated June 4-10 every year. — with a report from Maya M. Padillo

Nation at a Glance — (06/11/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (06/11/19)

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