Next PhilHealth chief should have ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption — Palace

The next president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should have "zero tolerance" for corruption and know how public health systems work.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the remark on Monday ahead of the expected announcement of the next PhilHealth chief later in the day by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Tingin ko po, dapat iyong bagong pinuno ay talagang walang bahid ang pangalan at zero tolerance din sa kurapsyon pero at the same time, alam niya ang batas, alam niya po ang accounting, alam niya ang actuarial at saka alam niya po iyong kahit papaano iyong public health," Roque said in a radio interview earlier in the day.

"So, malaking paghamon po ang pagpili sa susunod na PhilHealth dahil napakadaming kwalipikasyon na inaasahan po sa bagong PhilHealth president," he added.

Former PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales stepped down from his post last week after Duterte reportedly said it would be better for him to quit his post amid his health condition.

Before resigning, Morales went on medical leave due to lymphoma.

Morales' resignation came amid investigations into the alleged irregularities at PhilHealth including issues with its interim reimbursement mechanism and IT system.

At a hearing at the House of Representatives, PhilHealth corporate secretary Jonathan Mangaoang said PhilHealth executive vice president Arnel De Jesus has been named officer in charge following Morales' resignation. 

Senator Christopher Bong Go earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte will announce Morales' successor on Monday. — Erwin Colcol/RSJ, GMA News