(PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday approved a request to allow the reassignment of some of the officials and employees of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) despite an appointment ban during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) period.
In a memorandum, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia gave the go-signal to their law department's recommendation to grant exemption and approve "to transfer or detail any officer and employee of the PhilHealth."
This came following the reception of a letter request from Health Secretary and PhilHealth Board of Directors Chairperson Teodoro Herbosa dated Oct. 12.
Herbosa submitted its request to the Comelec following the Board's independent assessment of its Management Executive Committee members.
The board expressed dismay over the "observed incompetence, gross negligence, and ineffective leadership" of at least seven committee members, which allegedly caused adverse effects on PhilHealth.
"The Board expresses its loss of confidence in certain members of the Management Executive Committee namely: EVP (Executive Vice President) and COO (Chief Operating Officer) Atty. Eli Dino Santos, ASVP (Associate Senior Vice President) Nerissa Santiago, SVP (Senior Vice President) Jovita Aragona, SVP Renato Limsiaco, SVP Atty. Jose Mari Tolentino, SVP Dennis Mas, and SVP Dr. Israel Francis Pargas," the letter read.
The Health secretary earlier called out the committee for the corporation's delayed payouts to hospitals.
The exemption, meanwhile, is subject to several considerations to ensure the integrity of the BSK electoral process.
"This authorization shall be limited to orders to transfer or detail PhilHealth officers and employees, signed and issued by the Chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors," the memorandum read.
The Comelec also ordered that the transfer of officials and personnel must not, in any form, influence the BSKE.
The poll body also maintained other strict prohibitions despite the grant provided.
"The same shall not involve promotion or giving of any increase of salary or remuneration or privilege during the forty-five (45)-day period before the 30 October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections which is strictly prohibited without any exception whatsoever," the memorandum read.
The BSKE period lasts until Nov. 29, with the election day set on Oct. 30. (PNA)
