For the 3rd Time, COA Orders Hontiveros to return P160M Philhealth Money
The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered Senator Risa Hontiveros and three other former senior officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to return P163.85 million in unauthorized bonuses and allowances.
In two recently released decisions, the COA affirmed the disallowance of P80.79 million in Christmas, performance and anniversary bonuses for 2009 to 2010, and P83.06 million in educational assistance and “birthday gift” benefits for 2014.
The ordinary employees who received the bonuses in 2009 and 2010 were not covered by the refund order, because they were “passive recipients” who merely relied on the “honest belief that the amounts were due them.”
However, the COA said the employees “cannot be deemed in good faith” for the benefits in 2014.
The COA rejected PhilHealth’s argument that the incentives were covered by the collective bargaining agreements with the employees.
The order was already the third demand letter sent by COA to Hontiveros since she left office before being elected as Senator on 2016 General Elections.
The three other former employees who were ordered to return the fund are former members of the board of director Paulia Panopio, Glenn Cutanda, and Arturo Palomino.
COA’s order does not include the P1.7 billion fund that allegedly used by Hontiveros during her campaign.
In two recently released decisions, the COA affirmed the disallowance of P80.79 million in Christmas, performance and anniversary bonuses for 2009 to 2010, and P83.06 million in educational assistance and “birthday gift” benefits for 2014.
The ordinary employees who received the bonuses in 2009 and 2010 were not covered by the refund order, because they were “passive recipients” who merely relied on the “honest belief that the amounts were due them.”
However, the COA said the employees “cannot be deemed in good faith” for the benefits in 2014.
The COA rejected PhilHealth’s argument that the incentives were covered by the collective bargaining agreements with the employees.
The order was already the third demand letter sent by COA to Hontiveros since she left office before being elected as Senator on 2016 General Elections.
The three other former employees who were ordered to return the fund are former members of the board of director Paulia Panopio, Glenn Cutanda, and Arturo Palomino.
COA’s order does not include the P1.7 billion fund that allegedly used by Hontiveros during her campaign.
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