DOH: Duque will accept Morales’ resignation

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III will accept the resignation of beleaguered Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and CEO Ricardo Morales, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Duque “understands the predicament” of Morales, who earlier announced that he will file his resignation following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for him to step down due to his medical condition.

As Health decretary, Duque sits as chairman of the PhilHealth board.

“Alam po nating lahat na meron po siyang sakit and this is part of siguro po magte-treatment siya that’s why he decided to just resign. Ito naman po ay tatangapin na maluwag ng Secretary of Health as chair of the board and of course galing pa rin po sa OP (Office of the President) if they will accept or not,” Vergeire said.

(We all know that he has an ailment and this is probably part of his treatment that’s why he decided to just resign. This will be freely accepted by the secretary of Health as chair of the board and of course it came from the OP if they will accept or not.)

“The Secretary appreciates iyong mga ginagawa ni General Morales…During this pandemic siya po ay nagtrabaho ng maayos at naibigay naman po niya ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan through PhilHealth,” he added.

(The secretary appreciates what General Morales was doing… During this pandemic, he worked well and he did provide for the needs of our countrymen through PhilHealth.)

The retired military general is reportedly undergoing treatment for lymphoma and is currently on medical leave as the state health insurance firm faces different investigations over the alleged massive corruption within its system.

Duterte recently ordered Justice Department to lead an inter-agency task force to probe PhilHealth officials over corruption claims, which were unearthed during a recent congressional inquiry.

Among allegations of corruption raised involve the procurement of alleged overpriced IT equipment; a supposedly questionable release of funds under the corporation’s Interim Reimbursement Mechanism; and the alleged manipulation of the corporation’s financial status.

JPV