EXECUTIVES of PhilHealth Regional Office 1 based in Dagupan City said there is no truth to allegations of cover up because their office suffered a major rainwater leak from the ceiling that drenched some office equipment and files.

Regional Vice President Alberto Manduriao said, “On the incident of leak due to heavy downpour of rain in PhilHealth Regional Office I which transpired at around 4:30 PM on August 19, 2020, we assure the public that all documents are intact and are all accounted for”.

The suspicion of an attempt to cover up irregularities in the office was aired by senators and congressmen who are in the middle of committee hearings and investigation in aid of legislation on reported anomalies and scandal in the agency.

He said the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection as well as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were in their office at around 8:30 p.m. to investigate adding that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also conducted a separate investigation the following day.

“We have always been cooperative in all probe by authorities and our office is open to any investigation. All legal documents are safely secured and there is no truth to the allegation that there was a cover up of evidence,” Manduriao said.

In a separate statement on Aug. 24, Arnel de Jesus, OIC president and chief executive officer, also reiterated PhilHealth’s assurance to the public that there is no truth to allegations of a cover up in its Dagupan City office.

“As earlier reported, all the documents are intact and are all accounted for, and no critical equipment suffered damage from the incident,” De Jesus said.

“Reports that circulated citing that the affected areas are the IT and Accounting Sections which are both located at the ground floor are false,” De Jesus added.

He added that the video footage that circulated on social media showing the leaks affecting computers and printers was at the Benefit Administration Section located at the mezzanine.

He said that PRO 1’s IT personnel acted swiftly to protect the equipment, nonetheless, all electronic data are secured in its data centers precisely because of the electronic filing of claims.

De Jesus said all pertinent data and documents being cited are intact and will be made available to Task Force PhilHealth and to all investigating agencies and

PhilHealth reiterates its commitment to fully cooperate with all the investigating authorities.

He appealed to the public to refrain from speculating so as not to cause undue public concern.

The PRO1 here has transferred recently to another office also in Dagupan City from the original building it was renting for years owned by the family of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who initiated a probe into alleged corruption involving the state-run insurance firm, said there is enough reason to suspect the leak was intentional. (PhilStar Wire Service/ECV)

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