As part of the continuing campaign against fraud, PhilHealth Region XII recently filed 3 cases against employers for non-remitting their employees
The Legal Service Office has been trying to negotiate with erring employers to settle their obligation. There will be more as reported by the Collection Section as they are preparing for 40 more employers who will be charged.
Cases were filed against three employers from the City of Koronadal, Gen. Santos and Sarangani Province for non-remittance of premiums for a total of 119 counts for failure/refusal to remit their contributions to PhilHealth.
Aside from civil liabilities, the employers are also liable for interests and surcharges and cost suit.
The criminal liability consists of fines amounting to Php5,000.00 to Php10,000.00 per affected employee. One month missed remittance is equivalent to one count of the offense.
As an example, the complaint filed against the employer in Gen. Santos could result to fines amounting to Php 4.6 M.
The one filed in Gen. Santos has incurred more than Php100,000.00 while that of Koronadal is around Php80,000.00 excluding penalty. The computation was done upon filing of charges. Upon payment, concerned employers shall be computed of their corresponding penalty as a criminal violation of Section 44 of the IRR.
The Collection Section has already exhausted all means to remind employers to settle their financial obligations. Since May this year, this section has already started filing cases and even informed them that PhilHealth will be running after them for the unremitted collection including interests.
The law mandates that employers shall collect monthly premiums from their employees and to remit the same to PhilHealth. In this case, said employers failed to remit the collected amount.
PhilHealth XII reported that their Collection Section had started with those who have the highest figure of unpaid remittances and those who are difficult to deal with. In fact, there are more of them who have pending cases and more are coming.
