President Rodrigo Duterte has come to the defense of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III again amid continuing accusations of the health chief’s involvement in alleged anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Duterte reiterated that investigations have not showed anything sufficient to charge Duque.
“I have read the findings. For the life of me, I can’t really find a good reason to prosecute an innocent man,” he said in his latest nation address.
An inter-agency task force created on the President’s orders had recommended the filing of charges against former PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales and other officials following the investigation. Duterte approved the filing of charges.
Duque was not included in the initial complaint, to the dismay of legislators who have been clamoring for his resignation and prosecution due to his alleged involvement in the anomalies in the state health insurer.
Earlier Monday, Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra said more PhilHealth officials will face charges in the coming days.
