PhilHealth chief Morales to go on medical leave next week

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales is set to go on medical leave starting next week, amid corruption allegations hounding the agency.

Morales, who is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, said the medical leave was advised by his doctor.

"Matigas ang ulo ko eh. Pero sinusunod ko na 'yung payo ng aking doktor at sinabi niya kung gusto kong gumaling I have to take leave, so next week magli-leave ako," he said in a radio interview Wednesday.

"Kaya lang ho sundalo kasi ako eh. Ang sundalo kahit na sugatan ay pipiliting tapusin 'yung mission," he added.

Earlier this week, Morales, 67, asked the Senate to allow him to attend the hearing on alleged PhilHealth anomalies virtually as he submitted a medical certificate indicating his diagnosis, which makes him immunocompromised and vulnerable to infections.

Morales said he also decided to heed the advice of his family to take a rest from his duties.

"Naawa na ako sa kanila, so pagbibigyan ko," he added, but noted that he still wishes to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss matters.

"Naghahanap ako ng pagkakataon para kami ay makapag-heart-to-heart," said Morales.

Probe to go on

In response, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the investigation by the inter-agency task force on the supposed anomalies in PhilHealth will continue after Morales announced that he will take a medical leave.

"Alam mo kasi si Presidente is really a very kind person. Lalong-lalo na may sakit si Morales, he will not add pressure to General Morales and I think that’s a good trait that the President is not a bad one," Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

"It’s up to Morales what he wants to do but the process of investigation will continue."

PhilHealth and its officials are under investigation over the agency's alleged overpriced purchase of an information technology system worth over P2 billion.

In the previous Senate hearing, resigned anti-fraud officer Thorsson Montes Keith claimed that the PhilHealth "mafia," composed of the executive committee, stole some P15 billion through fraudulent schemes.

PhilHealth, in a statement, has since denied such claims.

"'Di bale na ako. 'Yung PhilHealth na lang ang gumaling," said Morales.—AOL/RSJ, GMA News