Arnel De Jesus appointed PhilHealth OIC during medical leave of Morales

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) executive vice president and chief operating officer Arnel De Jesus was appointed officer-in-charge of the state insurance firm during the duration of the medical leave of PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales.

PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo confirmed this in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Tuesday.

Morales has filed for a leave of absence from August 17 to 28 to heed the advice of his doctor. He earlier revealed he is undergoing treatment for lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes.

Morales also skipped the Senate hearing on Tuesday on alleged irregularities hounding the agency.

De Jesus was supposed to be Morales’ representative in the Senate hearing based on the latter’s letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III dated August 15.

However, De Jesus was also absent in the hearing, saying he was not able to attend “because of a scheduled medical follow-up check-up as a result of the emergency medical procedures” performed to him recently. [ac]