Duterte said best for Morales to quit PhilHealth, says Guevarra

President Rodrigo Duterte thinks it is best for embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) chief Ricardo Morales to give up his post due to his unstable health condition, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

Guevarra told reporters that Duterte took note of Morales’ “on-and-off health situation” during a meeting with Cabinet officials and members of the inter-agency COVID-19 task force in Davao on Monday night.

“The president took note last night of Morales’ on-and-off health situation, and stated that it would be best for the latter and for PhilHealth to give up his post during these critical times for the agency,” the Justice Secretary said.

Morales, who is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma, said earlier that he would go on medical leave as advised by his doctor.

“Executive Secretary [Salvador] Medialdea added that he had talked earlier to Morales, and that the latter said he would understand if he had to be replaced,” Guevarra said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque earlier said that Duterte would not fire Morales until the corruption allegations against him have been proven.

A resigned PhilHealth anti-fraud officer previously revealed that the agency’s executive committee stole around P15 billion in funds through several fraudulent schemes.

Duterte earlier vowed to crack down on corrupt PhilHealth officials. -NB, GMA News