Duterte orders probe into PhilHealth anomalies

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation into alleged anomalies within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), particularly concerning the purchase of an IT system worth over P2 billion.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the directive, which was prompted by the resignation of former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith due to alleged widespread corruption.

PhilHealth has stated that it has "nothing to hide" and welcomes any investigation by the Senate and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

PhilHealth spokesperson Gigi Domingo affirmed that the company is prepared to fully cooperate with the directive.

The investigation is being led by Undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

Roque urged Keith to cooperate with the investigation to help put an end to the corruption in PhilHealth, suggesting that there is a syndicate operating within the agency's higher echelons.