MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte prefers to take a careful approach in appointing the successor to resigned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, while there were names being considered for the post, the Chief Executive is taking his time as he wants to rebuild the public’s trust in PhilHealth.
“Wala naman po timeline kung kailan magtatalaga ng kapalit si Presidente,” Roque said in a virtual press conference.
“Kailangan ang iuupo ay walang bahid ng korapsyon, may managerial skills, may kakayahan sa insurance at public health service,” he added.
PhilHealth corporate secretary Jonathan Mangaoang said during the House of Representatives hearing on Thursday that PhilHealth executive vice president Arnel De Jesus has been named officer in charge until Duterte chooses a new PhilHealth head.
Duterte was pressed to sack Morales for months now after allegations of corruption and fraudulent schemes within the state insurer cropped up in June. But he has refused to fire the former military official pending solid proof.
Morales, who is battling lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes, formally tendered his resignation on Wednesday after the President took note of Morales’ medical condition.
“The President has always been of the opinion that health should come first kaya nga po he’s hoping that the resignation of General Morales would lead to the recovery of General Morales from his current ailment,” Roque said./PN
