Zubiri wants Karl Chua to lead PhilHealth amid reports of graft

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua is an ideal replacement to lead the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. amid allegations of corruption and claims of impending bankruptcy, a Senate leader said on Wednesday.

"He's my choice. Ang pinakamaganda ilagay bilang pinuno ng PhilHealth ay isang finance expert," Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri told reporters.

"I've never heard of any complaint when it comes to his credibility or his work ethics. Napakagaling ng work ethics niya... Sanay na sa budgeting 'yang si Karl. Numbers expert siya, ang ibig kong sabihin mahuhuli niya ang discrepancies na ito," he added.

Chua was appointed as acting secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in April after its former head Ernesto Pernia resigned due to supposed differences with other Cabinet members.

PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales is scheduled to go on a medical leave starting next week to continue his treatments for lymphoma.

There had been calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to appoint a PhilHealth "caretaker" while the state insurer is being investigated. -NB, GMA News