Palace: Neda chief’s appointment to PhilHealth is Duterte’s prerogative

MANILA, Philippines — It is up to President Rodrigo Duterte to decide on the appointment of National Economic Development Authority (Neda) acting secretary Karl Chua as the next head of the beleaguered Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday.

“Alam ninyo, pagdating po sa appointment, talagang tanging Presidente lang po ang makakasagot niyan,” Roque said in a press briefing.

(You know, when it comes to appointment, it’s only the President who can answer that.)

“Maski ako po ay tagapagsalita, wala po akong kapangyarihang sumagot diyan dahil [the] appointment is exclusively the prerogative of the President,” he added.

(Even I who is the spokesperson, does not have the authority to answer that, because the appointment is exclusively the prerogative of the President.)

Roque’s statement comes as Senate Majority  Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri made the recommendation, saying that Chua’s experience with numbers and “unquestionable credibility” is what PhilHealth needs.

Retired Army brigadier general Ricardo Morales has been serving as PhilHealth president and chief executive officer since July 2019.

The state health insurer is entangled in controversy over fresh allegations of corruption within the agency.

/MUF