Binigyang-diin ng Malacañang na nasa kamay daw ng Kongreso ang bola kaugnay sa isyu ng chairmanship ng Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) board.
Ito’y matapos na imungkahi ni Senate President Vicente Sotto III na ibigay na lamang ang nasabing puwesto sa kalihim ng Department of Finance (DOF).
Ayon kay Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, bagama’t pabor umano ang Pangulong Duterte rito, Kongreso na raw ang bahala para ito ay mapagpasyahan.
“I will confirm that the President had favorable reaction to it. But it really is the call of the legislative branch of government,” wika ni Roque.
“Because PhilHealth was created pursuant to law, amended by the Universal Healthcare Law. And it depends on the wisdom of Congress. If they feel that the legislative basis for the existence of PhilHealth should be amended, so be it. The President will respect that,” dagdag nito.
Una rito, tinalakay ni Sotto ang kanyang panukalang Senate Bill 1829 sa pulong kay Pangulong Duterte at House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Miyerkules.
Sa nasabing panukalang batas, nais na amyendahan ni Sotto ang Section 13 ng Republic Act 11223, o ang Universal Health Care law, para umupo nang “ex officio Chairperson of the board” ng state insurer ang Secretary of Finance.
“Since one of PhilHealth’s critical mandate is to have a sustainable fund management to ensure the continuous delivery of health care services, it is deemed proper and appropriate… that the chairman of the board should be the Secretary of Finance,” saad ni Sotto sa explanatory note ng panukala.
