Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales.
“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 in a press conference in Calamba, Laguna.
(the President and I accepted his resignation because of his health. We all know that he has cancer, which is lymphoma.)
Morales, who is suffering from lymphoma, said he would submit his resignation to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday morning, August 26.
“Nagpapasalamat na rin ako sa Pangulo na pinayagan niya akong magpahinga. Maaatupag ko na iyong aking kalusugan at iyong aking pamilya,” he told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.
(I also thank the President that he allowed me to rest. I can now take care of my health and my family.)
Morales went on medical leave amid the Senate inquiry on the alleged anomalies in PhilHealth.
Whistleblowers accused the PhilHealth chief of repeatedly approving allegedly overpriced projects and releasing huge funds to “favored” hospitals. Witnesses also said a “mafia” inside the state insurer also pocketed P15 billion in public funds.
Duque, Duterte accepted PhilHealth CEO Morales’ resignation
Morales, however, denied the allegations and signed a waiver for the investigators to open his bank records. He also agreed to a lifestyle check.
Whistleblowers accused the PhilHealth chief of repeatedly approving allegedly overpriced projects and releasing huge funds to “favored” hospitals. Witnesses also said a “mafia” inside the state insurer also pocketed P15 billion in public funds.
Morales, however, denied the allegations and signed a waiver for the investigators to open his bank records. He also agreed to a lifestyle check.
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Morales could still face charges related to the alleged anomalies in the agency despite his resignation.
“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.