MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales has resigned from his position which he has held for a year amid ongoing investigations of corruption and fraud in the state agency.
The President, however, is still to decide on Morales’ resignation letter which was submitted to the Palace Wednesday, said 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.”
Presidential spokesman harry roque
“We are still awaiting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s further action/instruction on the matter,” he added.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte asked Morales to leave his post due to his medical condition, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Tuesday.
“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.”
justice secretary menardo guevarra
President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and CEO Ricardo Morales to leave his post because of his medical condition, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.
According to ABS-CBN News, Morales sent a medical certificate signed by his attending oncologist earlier this month disclosing that he was undergoing cancer treatment at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
“He is advised to complete 6 cycles of treatment during which he will be immunocompromised and vulnerable to opportunistic infections. It is, therefore, in his best interest that I have advised him to take a leave of absence,” said Morales’ oncologist.
According to the medical certificate submitted, Morales has been battling Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma, a malignant and aggressive form of lymphoma that affects B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for making antibodies to fight infections
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.