PhilHealth chief Morales, VP Del Rosario leave House hearing due to health issues

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales and one other high-ranking official abruptly left a House of Representatives panel inquiry into the alleged corruption and anomalies in the state insurer.

Morales, who initially attended the House committee on good government and public accountability hearing via video conference, left the congressional probe “because he is not feeling well.”

“Si General Morales daw po ay umalis dahil medyo masama ang pakiramdam,” Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor said during the hearing.

Morelas, who is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, earlier announced he is set to go on medical leave beginning next week.

The PhilHealth chief’s sudden departure from the House panel hearing occurred in the middle of Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte’s query if the state insurer’s top officials are willing to sign a waiver to let the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) check their bank accounts.

PhilHealth senior vice presidents Jovita Aragona, Renato Limsiaco Jr., Israel Pargas, and Nerissa Santiago, who physically attended the hearing,  answered in the affirmative.

While those participating over video conference also agreed. They are vice presidents Oscar Abadu, Shirley Domingo, and Gilda Diaz; Visayas Area vice president Walter Bacareza, and corporate secretary Jonathan Mangaoang.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth senior vice president Arnel de Jesus is not available since he is confined in a hospital and undergoing a procedure to replace a battery in his pacemaker.

Likewise, PhilHealth senior vice president Rodolfo del Rosario left the video conference due to high blood pressure.

“Ang may sakit sa inyo si General Morales, De Jesus. Ngayon... hinigh blood si Del Rosario, parang lahat na nagkasakit,” Defensor said.—AOL, GMA News