Duque appreciates Morales' work at PhilHealth - Vergeire
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III appreciates the service rendered by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Ricardo Morales, despite being embroiled in controversy.
This was made clear by DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing stating,
“Secretary Duque understands the predicament of PhilHealth president and CEO Brig. General Ricardo Morales. Alam po natin lahat (We all know) and he has announced it to everybody, that meron po siyang sakit (that he is ill)."
“The Secretary truly appreciates po yung mga ginawa ni (the work of) President Morales, especially that he has this illness ---pero during this pandemic, siya po ay nagtrabaho ng maayos at naibigay naman po ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan through the PhilHealth (he worked well and provided for the needs of our countrymen through the PhilHealth),” she added.
Vergeire said they are still awaiting the final decision of the Office of the President regarding the matter.
“Ito naman po ay tatanggapin ng maluwag ng Secretary natin as Chair of the Board and of course, galing pa rin naman po sa OP (Office of the President) if they will going to accept or not (This will be accepted by our Secretary as Chair of the Board and of course, it will still come from the OP if they are going to accept it or not),” said Vergeire.
The PhilHealth chief, who is also undergoing chemotherapy for Lymphoma, assured he will continue cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, PhilHealth senior vice president for the legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. has also quit his post.
This was confirmed by PhilHealth Corporate Communication Department Senior Manager Rey Balena.
“Yes, effective August 24,” Balena said in a text message.
Del Rosario, in an interview over Teleradyo, maintained that he is not involved in any fraudulent activities while in PhilHealth.
“Ako ay malinis po ang aking konsensya. Wala po tayong kinasasangkutan na kahit anuman pong anomalya, hindi po tayo nagnakaw ng kahit anong singkong-duling sa ating pamamahala sa PhilHealth. Tayo po ay nagsilbi mula sa mababang posisyon mula po 22 years ago; at tayo po ay nag rose from the ranks (I have a clear conscience. We are not involved in any anomaly, I did not steal during my term in managing PhilHealth. We have served and started from a low position since 22 years ago; and I rose from the ranks),” said Del Rosario.
“Nitong mga nakaraang araw, we have tried to fully cooperate in all of the investigations but yung character assassination, the unfair accusation, relentless persecution that we experienced ay medyo mabigat po at ito po ay nakaapekto po sa ating kalusugan, hindi lang po physical kung hindi pati mental na rin. Itong recent development--itong aking pagre-resign, hopefully this will ease some pressure and will help me recuperate (During the recent days, we have tried to fully cooperate in all of the investigations but the character assassination, the unfair accusation, relentless persecution that we experienced is quite serious and it has affected our health, not just physically but mental as well. With my resignation, hopefully this will ease some pressure and will help me recuperate)," he maintained.
Like Morales, Del Rosario vowed to continue cooperating with ongoing investigations.
“Patuloy po tayong makikipag cooperate sa mga kino-conduct na (investigation) ng ating pamahalaan at umaasa na ang katotohanan ay lalabas at ang hustisya ay maibibigay sa lahat ng sangkot ,” he said.