No timeline set for selection of new PhilHealth chief — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte has not set a timeline for the selection of a new chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the appointment of the successor to resigned PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales needs careful consideration.

“Wala naman pong timeline kung kailan magtatalaga ng kapalit si Presidente,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

He said Morales’ successor must have managerial skills, expertise on insurance and community health, and have no record of corruption.

“There are already names being considered pero nag-iingat po ang Presidente sa pagpili,” Roque said.

“Ang maa-appoint niya diyan ang magiging kabalikat niya sa pagbabalik tiwala ng taumbayan sa PhilHealth, paglilinis ng PhilHealth nang magkaroon ng katuparan ‘yung ating isinulong na universal healthcare.”

Morales, a retired Army general, had been on medical leave due to lymphoma prior to his resignation.

“The President has always been of the opinion that health should come first kaya nga po he’s hoping that the resignation of General Morales would lead to the recovery of General Morales from his current ailment,” Roque said.

Morales resigned from his position amid allegations of corruption hounding the state insurer. He has since denied protecting the alleged corrupt officials in the agency. 

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.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also said the resignation of PhilHealth senior vice president for the legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario has also been accepted by the President. — RSJ, GMA News