PhilHealth's Morales says no issue with Roque; 'Different frequency but same direction'

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales on Monday said he has no issues with presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr., as the retired military general downplayed their recent heated exchange.

"Well, unang una, kami ni Secretary Roque, we all serve the same boss -- the Filipino and the President, so wala namang issue," Morales said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

"Ano lang 'yan, let's say, a different frequency but pointing at the same direction," he added.

Just last week, Roque said he would reveal what he said were "new anomalies" in PhilHealth, slamming the leadership for their supposed failure to go after corrupt officials.

"Iniisip ko na nga po, magpapaalam na ako kay Presidente, siguro tuluyan ko na lang, full-time ko na lang talagang linisin ‘yang PhilHealth na ‘yan dahil gusto ko naman ‘yan ang magiging legacy ko," said Roque.

In response, Morales said Roque is welcome to find a replacement to take over PhilHealth if he thinks the current leadership cannot implement the Universal Health Care Law.

"'Yung sinasabi niya na they can find someone else, that is the statement of Atty. Roque, that’s not the statement of the President... Kung andun naman siya sa Malacañang, siya na magsabi na siya na lang pumalit dito...okay lang sa 'kin 'yun," he said.

Morales was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to head PhilHealth in June 2019.

He has since recommended postponing the UHC, noting the drop in collections to finance such measure.

On Saturday, Roque advised Morales to be careful with his words and to just implement the law.

Still, Morales said PhilHealth is ready to open its books to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

"Open kami sa lahat ng nagtatanong," he said.—AOL, GMA News