Of the ₱15-billion allegedly stolen by former officials, 95% have been liquidated, said Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth.
The statement was made by PhilHealth as netizens continue to question the agency regarding the whereabouts of the ‘missing’ funds.
According to the state health insurer, a total of ₱14.21-billion Interim Reimbursement Mechanism or IRM funds have already been accounted for. The funds were given to 711 hospitals across the Philippines for their COVID-19 response.
Data from PhilHealth showed that Metro Manila hospitals have liquidated over ₱4.1-billion, followed by CALABARZON or Region 4-A with about ₱1.14-billion.
The liquidation of the ₱15-billion fund allegedly lost because of corruption is expected to be completed within the first quarter of this year, said PhilHealth President Dante Gierran.
The news about the massive fraudulent scheme broke in August last year following PhilHealth’s former anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith claim that officials of the agency have stolen some ₱15-billion, covering unauthorized release of IRM funds allocated to “fortuitous events” such as the pandemic, and “bloated” budget for IT equipment.
Complaints were filed by the government against PhilHealth officials, including its former chief Ricardo Morales, over the alleged anomalies.
