Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno on Wednesday (Sept. 2) criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s choice as head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“’The best and brightest’ ang pinangako, pero ngayong may pandemic at libo na ang namamatay, pinagkakatiwala ang PhilHealth sa taong aminadong walang alam sa public health,” read Diokno’s latest social media post.

Diokno is referring to retired National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran who already admitted in public of having no background on public health.

“Buhay at pera ng PhilHealth members ang nakataya dito. Eksperto ang kailangan, hindi yung mago-OJT pa lang,” Diokno said.

Duterte announced on Monday (Aug. 31) Gierran’s appointment at the PhilHealth which the chief executive sought to rid of corruption.

The retired NBI chief replaced resigned PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales.