Herbosa, Tiu Laurel get CA nod

The Commission on Appointments on Tuesday approved the ad interim appointments of Dr. Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa and Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as secretaries of the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture, respectively.

Herbosa's ad interim appointment was finally approved by the CA two months after the deliberation on his appointment was suspended due to "lack of time."

He was reappointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the Health chief on 29 September, two days after he was bypassed by the powerful Constitutional body.

During the deliberation on his appointment, Herbosa was asked about the alleged delayed payments of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to health facilities.

"We have actually asked the management of PhilHealth to start paying arrears… They promised to pay arrears in a period of 90 days. I think many hospitals have already been paid," Herbosa told lawmakers.

"We continue to request the management to improve the services so that the claims be given immediately. We've also asked the Philhealth management to provide more health benefits and primary care not only health benefits to actually improve Philhealth services to help our universal health coverage," he added.

Herbosa issued the remarks in response to Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's query on the alleged delayed payment by the health insurer.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged Herbosa to help the agency streamline its disbursement process to hospitals.

"I am also reminding PhilHealth to exert all efforts possible in accordance with our laws," he said.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. previously claimed that the state-run health insurer has yet to settle its outstanding debts amounting to P27 billion to various health facilities across the country.

Divested

Meanwhile, Laurel said he divested his interest from a total of 68 businesses linked to him since his appointment on 3 November.

"I have divested from all 68 companies through deed of donation or deed of sale," he said.

He also vowed that there would be no preferential treatment to companies owned by his family.

"Transparency is key. Basically, everybody has to observe the rules especially that I am here now as a public servant. Just like what I mentioned earlier, my father's reminder is that we cannot afford to be embarrassed," he stressed.

"There should be no special favors for my family's companies, no accommodation. My family will not allow that," he added.

Laurel was tapped by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November to lead the DA, a position concurrently headed by the president for more than a year.

Prior to his appointment, Laurel managed their family business Frabelle Fishing Corporation, one of the biggest seafood companies in the Philippines.

During the deliberation on his appointment, the 12-member House contingent did not ask questions of Laurel as they expressed their full support for his appointment.