A TASK force led by Department of Justice yesterday said it has endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman a report of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission recommending charges against 25 incumbent and former officials of the state-run health insurer in its Ilocos region office.
The unnamed officials were allegedly involved in P1.1 million worth of fraudulent benefit claims.
Justice Undersecretary Neal Bainto said among those recommended to be charged are PhilHealth officials and employees tasked to investigate the alleged fraudulent scheme, but failed to prosecute those involved.
“The charges against the 25 individuals include falsification by a public officer under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code, malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, usurpation of authority, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, and administrative liabilities for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” Bainto said in a statement.
Bainto said the DOJ is withholding the names of the 25 respondents “until they are officially informed through a subpoena.”
He said the PACC investigations showed that a fake account was created at the PhilHealth Regional Office 1 under the name “Pamela del Rosario” and contributions were retroactively applied and antedated.
