(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte fired Celestina Dela Serna as interim chief of PhilHealth because of excessive travels, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday, June 5.
According to Roque, there was also the issue of mismanagement of funds in the agency.
He said it was a senior Palace official, whom he did not identify, who made the recommendation to dismiss Dela Serna following an inquiry.
“”We need a completely honest PhilHealth if we are going to have a successful universal health care (program),” he said.
Last week, President Duterte named Philhealth Board Member Roy Ferrer as Dela Serna’s replacement.
Dela Serna’s dismissal came after a Commission on Audit report flagged her allegedly excessive travels from Manila to Bohol that amounted to P627,293.04, this amid reports of PhilHealth’s lack of funds.
Several employees of the agency also accused her of removing their P2,200 rice allowance, and of illegally terminating 17 casual employees.