Former Health Secretary Ubial, another also sued
(Eagle News) — Sacked Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) interim president Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna has been charged over her allegedly excessive travel expenses.
Apart from Dela Serna, charged with one count each of malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents and for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act was former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.
Also charged with one count of each crime was Social Insurance Specialist Arlissa Arceo.
In filing the charges, PhilHealth officials Datu Masiding Alonto Jr., Maria Rhodella Monsanto, Jelbert Galicto, Anshari Mangondato, Ziur Ruiz, Ian Alfredo Magno and Marlon Niño Arrabaca took to task Dela Serna for her alleged refund of expenses she incurred from her personal travel between Metro Manila and Bohol, where she lives, and her accommodation, from May to August 2017.
The expenses amounted to P268,169.
The complainants said the refund was made possible even if Juvy Balolong of the Funds Management Sector rejected Dela Serna’s request in a memorandum.
They said this because the former PhilHealth chief herself instructed the FMS to “process” the same in a marginal note on the same memo.
They added Ubial also certified that Dela Serna’s expenses were “necessary, lawful and under (her) direct supervision.”
“While it is true that PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 2325, s. 2017 provides and authorizes the reimbursement of her travel and accommodation expenses, such authorization applies only to travels that are true, legal and legitimate..,” the complainants said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Dela Serna for her allegedly excessive travels and apparent mismanagement of PhilHealth funds.
This was after the Commission on Audit said Dela Serna had used P627,293.04 for her travels to and from Bohol and Manila.
The amount is only part of the P900,000 worth of government funds that the COA said Dela Serna received during her stint.