Palace dodges recommendation for NEDA’s Karl Chua to lead PhilHealth

Malacañang on Saturday maintained that the power to appoint officials in non-elective positions is the sole prerogative of the President.

This, as presidential spokesperson Harry declined to comment on a recommendation for Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua to lead the scandal-hit Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Alam ninyo, pagdating po sa appointment, talagang tanging Presidente lang po ang makakasagot niyan,” Roque said in a virtual briefing.

“Maski ako po’y tagapagsalita, wala po akong kapangyarihang sumagot diyan dahil appointment is exclusively the prerogative of the President,” he emphasized.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, on Wednesday, suggested that Chua, who currently leads the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority, take the helm of PhilHealth amid allegations of corruption and claims of impending bankruptcy. 

PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales is scheduled to go on 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. —KG, GMA News