Corruption, in all of its forms, negatively impacts the enjoyment of all human rights. Corruption in its simplest definition is a betrayal of public interest.

In the health sector and in other segments of bureaucracy, corruption does not only affect the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard, but it also damages the legitimacy of leaders to a loss of public support and trust for state and government institutions.

In the midst of a national health emergency, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly underscores the duty of the state to protect and fulfill its human right obligations, and to deliver relevant services including a functioning judiciary law enforcement, health, and other basic social services.

The alleged fraudulent and corrupt practices in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) demands an immediate and independent investigation. These alleged irregularities undermine the State’s human rights commitment to maximise available resources for the progressive realisation of rights, as recognized in Article 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

Efforts to control corruption, such as reforms in political structures, rule of law, and governance among others, are vital for national health care systems to work optimally.

The CHR backs the ongoing probe by the Senate, Office of the President, and the Commission on Audit in holding involved officials accountable for these allegations. While we appreciate the commitment of PhilHealth to exhaust all its legal measures against the perpetrators of the alleged malicious acts, we demand transparency and assurance that public funds entrusted to the corporation are properly disbursed and accounted for.

The fight against corruption is central to the struggle for human rights, as corruption has always been the great enabler of exploitation and injustice anywhere. ###