Philippine Health Insurance Corporation President and CEO Ricardo Morales has officially resigned from his post on August 26, Wednesday after heeding President Rodrigo Duterte’s advice.
On August 10, Morales disclosed that he filed for medical leave as he had been undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. Two days later, he did not attend a House hearing on PhilHealth irregularities, citing his medical condition.
On Tuesday, August 25, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that “The President took note last night of Morales’ on-and-off health situation, and stated that it would be best for the latter and for PhilHealth to give up his post during these critical times for the agency.”
Despite several calls for resignation of the PhilHealth chief, the president refused to fire him without solid evidence.
A multi-agency task force was also created to investigate the alleged irregularities within PhilHealth. Based on its ongoing investigation, it has identified the “centers of fraud” in the agency.
