(FILE) Senate President Vicente Sotto III answers questions from reporters in a virtual interview on Monday, August 3, 2020. Screenshot from Zoom interview
MANILA, Philippines — The public was “shortchanged” when Philippine Health Insurance Corp. President Ricardo Morales did not disclose to the public his health condition, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.
Morales’ condition was only known when he submitted his medical certificate to the Senate.
In the medical certificate, Morales’ oncologist disclosed that Morales was a “diagnosed case of Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma” and is undergoing chemotherapy.
“The public is being shortchanged when you have public officials who cannot perform their work because of one reason or another and most especially if he has prevailing very poor health conditions,” he told reporters in an online interview.
Sotto said it would be best if Morales would resign if he cannot perform his job properly due to his health status.
“Out of delicadeza, if you’re sick, you cannot perform your job or your work, you either take leave if your recovery is possible, or if it’s not going to be possible in a certain span of time, it’s best to resign,” he said.