Morales, De Jesus absent in Senate hearing on PhilHealth

PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales and executive vice president Arnel De Jesus were absent in the continuation of the Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III announced in the middle of the inquiry that he received a letter from Morales notifying that he cannot attend, even virtually, because he is on medical leave from August 17 to 28.

In a letter dated August 15, Morales, who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma, said De Jesus has been designated in his stead.

However, De Jesus also wrote a letter to the Senate on Tuesday, saying that he will not be able to attend the hearing because of a "scheduled medical follow-up checkup."

The names of Morales and De Jesus were earlier read in the roll call of resource persons who confirmed participation in Tuesday's hearing.

Other senior vice presidents and regional vice presidents of PhilHealth are present. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News