Malacañang said the task force formed to probe the allegations of corruption at PhilHealth will continue even if its president Ricardo Morales goes on leave because of his medical condition.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Morales said on Monday that he relayed his intentions to take a medical leave after it was revealed that he has been undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque said he was not sure if Morales tendered his leave request to President Duterte or the PhilHealth board when the embattled official said he had already made the request to his "boss."
"I have no information if he has or whether or not he actually tendered his leave to the President because they are a GOCC (government-owned and -controlled corporation)," he said.
"I think the procedure is for him to send it to the board because the board is the policy-making body of any corporation," he added.
However, Roque said that even if Morales goes on leave, the probe on PhilHealth will push through.
"It's up to Morales what he wants to do but the process of investigation will continue," he said.
"Let's allow for the process to continue, given the Task Force is given only a short period of time to conclude its investigation---30 days," he added.
Roque said that after 30 days, it is expected that the task force will decide either to impose a preventive suspension, lifestyle check, or outright suspension because agencies that could suspend, terminate, and charge individuals within the bureaucracy are members of the Task Force.
Roque said last week that the Task Force will be composed of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), and other agencies like the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
He said President Duterte formed the task force because he was already exasperated with the situation.
Morales' fate
As far as Morales is concerned, Roque said President Duterte still trusts him but the Chief Executive is still waiting for the result of the task force.
"The President has said, 'I believe in his integrity. I believe he is a soldier of courage and of principles,'" Roque said.
"He has said that, 'I don't care if you were my political supporter. I don't care if you're close with me. If you're corrupt, then you will have to go.'," he added.
According to Roque, Duterte did not want to put any more pressure on Morales who is already battling cancer while battling corruption allegations.
"Alam mo kasi si Presidente (You know the President) is really a very kind person, lalo na may sakit si Morales (especially now that Morales is sick)," he said.
"He will not add pressure to General Morales. And I think that's a good trait of the President, not a bad one," he added.