Morales may still face legal repercussions over PhilHealth mess — Lacson

Senator Panfilo Lacson wished outgoing PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales speedy recovery but said the latter may still face legal complaints for possible complicity in the alleged irregularities within the state health insurer.

"I feel sorry for him hindi sa ano pa man, Cavalier ko siya o ano pa man pero dahil sa kalagayan niya, ang kaniyang kalusugan," Lacson said in a radio interview.

"I still wish him well, sana maka-recover siya sa cancer, though hindi maiaalis na baka may kaharapin siyang legal problems dahil sa ilalabas na committee report ni Senate President [Vicente] Sotto," he added.

The documents and testimonies possessed by the Senate Committee of the Whole complement each other, according to Lacson.

Amid the congressional hearings earlier this month, Morales bared his medical condition to lawmakers. He was battling lymphoma and was advised to take a leave of absence.

After going on a medical leave, President Rodrigo Duterte said it would be best for Morales to leave his post because of his unstable health condition.

Morales, a retired military general, said he would submit his resignation letter this Wednesday

PhilHealth senior vice president for the legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. also announced on social media that he has tendered his irrevocable resignation lamenting  "character assassination, trial by publicity, and relentless persecution"

Asked whether charges would also be recommended against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who serves as chair of the PhilHealth Board, Lacson said: "As far as pagkaalam kong personal kung ebidensya at ebidensya ang pag-uusapan, mukhang 'di siya masasaklaw... kasi minsan lang siya nag-appear. Ang board wala namang nag-implicate sa board."

Nonetheless, he added that Sotto may still be able to unearth documents which may involve Duque who has held key positions in the PhilHealth management since 2001.

The Committee of the Whole's report on its recent investigation on alleged PhilHealth anomalies including the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism, alleged overpriced IT equipment, and supposedly manipulated financial statements is expected to be released next week.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee also released its report on Tuesday regarding its probe on the state health insurer in 2019.

The panel recommended the removal and filing of charges against PhilHealth vice presidents, as well as slapping former Health Secretary Janette Garin with raps over alleged diversion of PhilHealth funds.  — RSJ, GMA News