PhilHealth chief to file resignation this Wednesday

PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales

MANILA, Philippines — Heeding the call of President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales is set to file his resignation this Wednesday.

“Isusubmit ko sa office ng Executive Secretary today,” Morales said in an interview over Teleradyo when asked when he will submit his resignation.

Morales also confirmed earlier reports that the President asked him to resign over his on-and-off health condition.

The PhilHealth chief is on medical leave as he is battling lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy.

“Nagpapasalamat naman ako sa Pangulo na pinayagan niya akong magpahinga. At ngayon maaatupag ko na yung aking kalusugan at aking pamilya,” Morales said.

(I am thankful for the President because he let me rest. Now, I will be able to focus on my health and my family.)

He also assured cooperation in investigations being done on the alleged irregularities within PhilHealth, even expressing confidence that he will be given a “fair treatment.”

“Alam mo, tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman yung imbestigasyon, I’m still, nagpirma ako ng bank secrecy waiver, nagsubmit kami sa lifestyle check, nagsubmit ako ng mga dokumento, yung SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth),” Morales said.

(Investigations are still ongoing. I already signed the bank secrecy waiver, we submitted ourselves to lifestyle check, I submitted documents like my SALN.)

“Nagko-cooperate ako sa imbestigasyon na ginagawa ng Department of Justice. And I am confident I will be given a fair treatment,” he added.

(I am cooperating with the investigation of the Department of Justice. And I am confident I will be given a fair treatment.)

Duterte earlied ordered the Department of Justice to form an inter-agency task force to investigate corruption allegations in PhilHealth.

Morales then thanked the President whom he referred to as a “real friend” for his unwavering confidence.

“I’m back to anonymity, malaking pasalamat. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik. Malaking pasalamat ko sa Pangulo natin. Isa siyang tunay na… he never wavers in his confidence in me and I’m so humbled by his loyalty. Tunay na kaibigan,” Morales said.

(I’m back to anonymity, I’m really thankful. It’s a relief. I’m grateful for the President. He never wavers in his confidence in me and I’m so humbled by his loyalty. A real friend.)

Morales’ move came after the Senate already concluded its inquiry into PhilHealth’s alleged corruption, involving funds for a P2-billion information technology project and a P30-billion interim reimbursement mechanism to hospitals intended for COVID-19 patients.

Duterte, in a taped speech aired Tuesday, vowed that he would spend his two years left in office to prosecute those involved in PhilHealth’s supposed irregularities.

EDV