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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Morales resigns as chief of scandal-plaqued PhilHealth

Morales resigns as chief of scandal-plaqued PhilHealth

Published Aug 26, 2020 07:13 pm

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales has resigned from the post he held for a year in the wake of the corruption scandal plaguing the state firm.

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President Ricardo Morales (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The President, however, has yet to decide on Morales’ resignation letter which was submitted to the Palace Wednesday, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

“This is to confirm that the Office of the President has received today, August 26, the resignation letter of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo C. Morales,” Roque said.

“We are still awaiting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's further action/instruction on the matter,” he added.

Morales, a retired military general, was appointed to head PhilHealth in July, 2019. Prior to his PhilHealth appointment, he briefly served as member of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage (MWSS) board.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had earlier revealed that the President wanted Morales to step down given his ailment. He said the President stated it would be best for Morales and PhilHealth “to give up his post during these critical times for the agency.”

Malacañang has kept mum about reports the President supposedly asked for Morales' resignation, invoking executive privilege.

Nonetheless, Roque said the President is looking for a PhilHealth official who has integrity and good management skills. He said the next PhilHealth head must also know how to safeguard the agency’s funds to ensure the money will be used for healthcare and will not be lost to corruption.

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