Duterte accepted PhilHealth chief Morales' resignation, says Duque

President Rodrigo Duterte has already accepted the resignation of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president and CEO Ricardo Morales, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

“Tinanggap po natin at ni Pangulo ang kanyang pagbibitiw sa pwesto dahil po sa kanyang kalusugan. Alam po ng lahat na siya po ay may cancer, ito pong lymphoma,” Duque said at a press conference in Calamba, Laguna.

Duque noted that with Morales undergoing chemotherapy, staying on the job will only put the latter at a greater risk.

“Nakausap ko po mismo ang doktor niya sa Cardinal Santos [Medical Center] at ang sabi niya, hindi talaga puwedeng patuloy ang pagganap ng kanyang trabaho nang hindi makukompromiso ang kanyang kalusugan, lalo iyong cancer niya, very invasive,” he added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also confirmed the development. Roque added the President has yet to find a replacement, adding that there is no timeline set in looking for Morales' successor.

Morales tendered his resignation Wednesday, as confirmed by presidential Roque and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go.

He resigned from his post amid allegations of corruption plaguing the state insurer.

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. 

Duque also said the resignation of PhilHealth senior vice president for the legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario has also been accepted by the President.

“Personal ang kanyang kadahilanan, dahil roon sa six-month preventive suspesnion [na hinain ng Office of the Ombudsman], hindi niya kayang buhayin ang pamilya niya na naghihintay ng anim na buwan kaya minabuti niya na magbitiw at maghanap ng ibang trabaho,” Duque said.

Duque, however, assured the public that their resignations do not mean that Morales and Del Rosario are off the hook.

“They will have to cooperate, they have to make themselves and documents available as long as the investigation is ongoing. That [resignation] will not exempt them from obligations,” he pointed out.

As this developed, Duque said that the President is actively looking for the replacement of Morales and Del Rosario.

“The President right now is looking for a replacement. Pinupuntirya natin na within the week sana po ay magkaroon na ng bagong pangulo at punong tagapagpatupad ang Philhealth," he said.

"Ang qualification, siyempre marunong sa finance dahil ang tagumpay ng PhilHealth ay nakasalalay sa actuarial sustainability. Kung maalam sa accounting, mas magaling. May background sa legal, magaling rin [iyon],” Duque said.—Llanesca T. Panti/Virgil Lopez/AOL/KBK/RSJ, GMA News