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Guevarra: Duterte believes it would be better for Morales to step down due to his poor health

Philippines | National

Guevarra: Duterte believes it would be better for Morales to step down due to his poor health

By Jeffrey Damicog

President Duterte has expressed belief that it would be wise for Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ricardo Morales to step down due to his health condition, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO /MANILA BULLETIN)

Guevarra said the President conveyed this Monday night, Aug. 24, in Davao City before members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“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,” the secretary said.

“ES Medialdea (Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea) added that he had talked earlier to Morales, and that the latter said he would understand if he had to be replaced,” Guevarra also disclosed.

Morales is currently on leave at the advice of his doctor due to ongoing chemotherapy for his lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes.

The beleaguered PhilHealth chief is under close scrutiny over numerous allegations of corruption taking place at the state-run insurer.

Guevarra is the convenor of Task Force PhiHealth which he formed last Aug. 7 pursuant to the directive of Duterte who wanted the government corporation investigated over corruption allegations.

The task force is composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), the Commission on Audit (COA), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the National Prosecution Service (NPS), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

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