Roque declines PhilHealth position

Former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque on Sunday said that he would not want to take any position with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

"Tama na po sa akin na bantayan ang ating Philhealth, Dahil tayo naman po ay nagsulong ng ating Universal Health Care. Pero sinabi ko na po na pass po ako dyan sa posisyon na 'yan," Roque said on Super Radyo dzBB.

He, however, said that he would be open to other opportunities should President Rodrigo Duterte ask him to once again serve.

"Magaling na po tayo. Handa naman po tayo," he affirmed.

Roque previously withdrew from the 2019 senatorial race due to ill health.

Recently, he raised the alarm on fraudulent acts and controversies at the PhilHealth.

He served as the legal counsel of two former employees who disclosed the alleged "ghost dialysis" scam of the WellMed Dialysis Center which supposedly benefited from PhilHealth claims of deceased patients.

Amid the allegations, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered PhilHealth President Roy Ferrer and the PhilHealth's board members to submit their courtesy resignations.

PhilHealth is now headed by Ricardo Morales, a retired military official.

New board members—Marlene Padua  and Alejandro Cabading—were also recently appointed by Duterte to the PhilHealth.  — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News