NBI files raps vs 21 PhilHealth officials, employees over Wellmed accreditation despite dialysis scam

(Eagle News)–The  National Bureau of Investigation has filed raps against 21 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation officials and employees over the accreditation of Wellmed despite allegations it was involved in a massive dialysis scam.

NBI Director Dante A. Gierran said charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the  National Health Insurance Act of 2013 and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees were the following:

1. Dr. RIZZA MAJELLA L. HERRERA, Acting Senior Manager and Head
of the Accreditation Department of PhilHealth

2. Dr. BERNADETTE C. LICO, Chairperson of Accreditation SubCommittee of PRO NCR of PhilHealth

3. Dr. JANICE GEMP. PERLAS, Chairperson of Accreditation Subcommittee of PRO NCR of PhilHealth

4. Dr. LEILANI CHERILLINA JOY V. ASPRER, Branch Manager of NCR South and Member of Accreditation SubCommittee of PhilHealth

5. Dr. ROFIEN ISON, Branch Manager of NCR South and Member of
Accreditation SubCommittee of PRO-NCR

6. Dr. MANUEL LAMPITOC, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation Sub
Committee of PRO-NCR

7. Atty. RECTO M. PANTI, Member of Accreditation Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

8. Mr. HENRY V. ALMANON, Member of Accreditation Sub-Committee of
PRO NCR

9. Dr. JEFFREY C. PE, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation SubCommittee of PRO-NCR

10. Ms. CHERYL P. WELAN, Member of Accreditation Sub-Committee of
PRO-NCR

11. Ms. LOLITA V. TULIAO, Branch Manager, PRO NCR Central and Member of Accreditation Sub-Committee of PRO NCR

12. Dr. QUINTIN T. CALLUENG, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation
Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

13. Atty. MARY GRACE G. DELOS SANTOS, Member of Accreditation
Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

14. Ms. MARICEL MAGLALANG, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation
Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

15. Ms. SUSAN REBECCA ROMERO, Member of Accreditation SubCommittee of PRO-NCR

16. Ms. YVONNE A. FERNANDEZ, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation
Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

17. Dr. KATRINA MARIE J. AGUILAR, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

18. Dr. CYNTHIA P. CAMACHO, Member of Accreditation Sub-Committee
of PRO-NCR

19. Dr. IMELDA TRINIDAD DE VERA-PE Head BA and Member of
Accreditation Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

20. Dr. ARSENIO D. ALCANTARA, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation
Sub-Committee of PRO-NCR

21. Dr. LETICIA GAY D. AGUDA, Permanent Alternate of Accreditation Subcommittee of PRO-NCR

The charges which were filed before the Department of Justice were based on the findings of the NBI’s Anti-Graft Division that  found the employees and officials approved the accreditation of Wellmed for 2019 despite allegations against the clinic in Quezon City and adverse findings by PhilHealth’s fact-finding and investigation department.

“During its meeting on February 7, 2019, ASC resolved to recommend to PhilHealth’s Accreditation Department the withdrawal of accreditation of Wellmed for 2019. However, in its May 20, 2019 meeting, ASCr resolved to continue processing the claims of Wellmed based on the letter of Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Chairperson of PhilHealth’s Accreditation Committee,” the NBI said.

The NBI said investigation also showed that the Accreditation Department
failed in its duty to withdraw the accreditation of Wellmed, giving  “unwarranted benefits” to the same.

As for the PRO-NCR, the NBI said it “did not conduct periodic monitoring” of Wellmed as required by R.A. 10606.

Gierran said its its anti-graft division is still probing other possible areas of fraud committed by other healthcare institutions  and providers and their accredited medical practitioners and physicians in collusion with PhilHealth officials.

To date, we have received information that even the remittance system of PhilHealth is susceptible to fraud, Gierran said.

He said other charges will be filed if warranted.

Earlier, the NBI filed charges against Wellmed owner Bryan Sy and several others following allegations of former employees the clinic processed PhilHealth claims of already deceased patients.