MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 3, 2012) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) has busted a syndicate tagged as behind a multimillion peso premium payments scam.
Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Philhealth president and chief executive officer, said authorities are preparing for the filing of criminal charges against those behind the fraud.
“We have already called in the National Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to complete the investigation toward filing the appropriate criminal charges against the culprits,” Banzon said.
Banzon said the premium diversion scam was exposed when Philhealth staff detected a discrepancy in collection data.
“A premium payment check was encashed at a private commercial bank. The payment never reached Philhealth. The money was not credited to Philhealth’s account, but went elsewhere,” he said.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue also uncovered a similar tax payments diversion scam years ago. Syndicate members, including BIR staff and employees of private companies, who colluded with the erring bank officers, are now facing trial for money laundering, fraud, and falsification.
“There are crooks everywhere. We are warning them. We will spare no effort in running after them. They will be apprehended, and they will be put behind bars,” Banzon said. “We have zero tolerance for fraud, consistent with President Aquino’s ‘daang matuwid’ policy.”
According to the findings of an investigation panel created by Banzon, it would appear that the syndicate may have been operating as early as 2009.
Initial findings also indicate that over P100 million in premium payments were diverted. Banzon vowed to run after the offenders and take all necessary steps to ensure that money meant for the insurance premiums of Philhealth members are properly remitted and credited in their favor.
“We’ve likewise reinforced security controls to protect the integrity of our database,” said Banzon, who earlier named a senior executive as chief anti-fraud surveillance officer, reporting directly to him and the board.
On top of the criminal indictments that are readied with the help of the NBI, he said the necessary administrative charges are also being finalized.
Banzon also urged all companies to observe existing (remittance) policies and procedures as prescribed by Philhealth, and to immediately report any attempts to circumvent protocols to their nearest Philhealth service office.
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