CITING “loss of confidence” and “observed incompetence,” the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will shake up its Executive Committee after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowed the transfer of several of PhilHealth officials.
The Comelec, in a memorandum, quoted the October 12 letter of PhilHealth acting Corporate Secretary Lora Managasar and approved by PhilHealth chairman of the Board Teodoro Herbosa seeking authority from the poll body to transfer some of its officials.
“The Board expresses its loss of confidence in certain members of the Management Executive Committee namely: EVP and COO Atty. Eli Dino Santos, ASVP Nerissa Santiago, SVP Jovita Aragona, SVP Renato Limsiaco, SVP Atty. Jose Mari Tolentino, SVP Dennis Mas, and SVP Dr. Israel Francis Pargas due to their observed incompetence, gross negligence, and ineffective leadership, as manifested by their actions and decisions that have directly and adversely impacted the Corporation,” said the PhilHealth letter as quoted by the Comelec.
“In order to ensure the efficient delivery of services to the general public, the chairman of the Board deemed it proper to seek an exemption, in addition to the original exemption, for the reassignment of these officers,” the letter added.
PhilHealth said the move is the result of the decision of the Board of Directors to address pressing operational issues.
“To uphold the interest of PhilHealth, the Board has decided to exercise its corporate powers to provide an independent check on the management and its officers,” it said.
The request to allow the reassignment of top PhilHealth executives also comes on the heels of the cyberattack of its system last September 22.
It wasn’t clear, however, if the reassignment is related to the Medusa ransomware attack in its system.
In response, the Comelec – Law Department approved the request of PhilHealth.
“The Law Department recommends the approval of the request of Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, secretary of health and chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, insofar as the continuing authority to transfer or detail any officer and employee of the PhilHealth is concerned,” said Comelec – Law Department head Maria Norina Casingal.
The recommendation was approved by Comelec chairman George Garcia.
“By virtue of the authority granted upon me under Resolution No. 10924, promulgated on 07 June 2023, the recommendation of the Law Department is hereby approved,” said Garcia.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10905, the transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers, is prohibited from August 28, 2023 to November 29, 2023 in relation to the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
