PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales said he would submit his resignation after President Rodrigo Duterte asked him to leave his post due to this medical condition.
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.
Morales, however, denied the allegations and signed a waiver for the investigators to open his bank records. He also agreed to a lifestyle check.
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“I am confident there is not an iota of evidence,” Morales said. “I am confident that a thorough and fair investigation will clear us out.”
The PhilHealth CEO said he was also ready to face any administrative or criminal case. “Occupational hazard iyan e,” he said.
Morales said he would go “back to anonymity” after his resignation.
“Para akong nabunutan ng tinik,” he said. “Malaking pasalamat ako sa Pangulo natin… He never wavered in his confidence in me and I am so humbled by his loyalty. Tunay na kaibigan.”
Gabriela hits resignation of PhilHealth CEO Morales
Women’s party-list Gabriela said Duterte’s request for Morales to resign “doesn’t do justice to millions of Filipinos who were robbed of funds amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“His call for Morales’ resignation is in fact based on the latter’s medical condition, and not based on the widespread corruption in the agency which was unmasked in the Senate and House hearings,” it added.
The President “cannot wash his hands clean over the Philhealth mess” because he signed the Universal Healthcare Law that gave the agency more funds. He also “blessed the rollout of the P30-billion” IRM, said Gabriella.