Morales’ replacement must be free of corruption, able to bring back public trust in PhilHealth — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Ricardo Morales’ replacement must free of corruption and must be able to return the public’s trust in the state insurer, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this as he confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte already accepted Morales’ resignation.

“Tinanggap na po ni Presidente Duterte ang resignation ni Gen. Morales. Wala pa pong kapalit,” Roque said in an online briefing.

(President Duterte already accepted Gen. Morales’ resignation. There’s no replacement yet.)

“Kailangan ang maa-appoint nya dyan maging kabalikat sa pagbabalik tiwala ng taumbayan sa PhilHealth, paglilinis sa PhilHealth na magkaroon po ng katuparan ang ating isinulong na Universal Health Care at magkaroon po ng katuparan ang libreng gamot para sa mga Pilipino,” he said when asked what qualifications Morales’ replacement must have.

(The person who will be appointed must be the President’s partner in returning the public’s trust in PhilHealth, cleaning its ranks and being able to implement the universal health care law.)

Roque added that PhilHealth’s next chief must be free of corruption and have a know-how in public health.

“Kinakailangan po ang talagang iuupo dyan ay walang bahid ng korupsyon, meron pong managerial skills, meron pong kakayahan sa larangan mismo ng insurance saka health service,” Roque said.

(The person who will be appointed must be free of corruption, has managerial skills and knows about insurance and health service.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the President is already looking for Morales’ replacement.

Morales was earlier asked by the President to step down from his post due to his on-and-off health situation, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

The PhilHealth chief earlier took a medical leave as he is battling lymphoma and undergoing treatment.

This, amid investigations being done over alleged irregularities in PhilHealth which involve funds for a P2-billion information technology project and a P30-billion interim reimbursement mechanism to hospitals intended for COVID-19 patients.

EDV