Duterte's wish for Morales the 'humanitarian way' to say 'you're fired' -Sotto

President Rodrigo Duterte's wish for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president Ricardo Morales to resign for health reasons is the "humanitarian way" of sacking the state insurer's top executive, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Tuesday.

Sotto made the remark after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced that Duterte said that it was best for PhilHealth for Morales to resign given his bout against cancer.

PhilHealth is also in the middle of a controversy involving billions of pesos allegedly lost due to fraud and corruption.

“It’s a humanitarian way of saying ‘you’re fired!'” Sotto told reporters.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who have had choice words for some PhilHealth executives in the course of the Senate investigation, wished Morales well.

"I feel sorry for PCEO Morales. I hate to think that the stress brought about by the intense COW (Committee of Whole) hearings may have taken a toll on his infirm health condition," Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

"In spite of his possible complicity that could make him face some serious legal problems, I still wish that he wins his bout against cancer and recovers," he added.

Guevarra told reporters that Duterte had taken 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,” Guevarra said.

Morales is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. He took a medical leave last week amid corruption allegations hounding the agency.

Sotto earlier said government officials with serious illnesses should relinquish their posts, especially if their mandate is being compromised.

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

Resigned anti-fraud officer Thorsson Montes Keith earlier claimed that the PhilHealth “mafia,” composed of the executive committee, stole some P15 billion through fraudulent schemes.

PhilHealth, meanwhile, has since denied such claims.  -NB, GMA News