RICARDO Morales yesterday submitted to Malacañang a letter of resignation as president and chief operating office of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and expressed relief as he said President Duterte finally allowed him to go because of his medical condition.
“I am thankful to our President after he allowed me to take a rest. Now, I can focus on my health and my family,” he said in a radio interview.
Morales is battling lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes. His resignation came amid allegations of corruption in the agency and a day after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra disclosed that the President said “it would be best” for Morales and for PhilHealth to resign because of his health condition and “in these critical times for the agency.”
Morales learned of his cancer early this year and had kept quiet but it was made public this month by the Senate which is investigating the allegations that the agency has been losing billions to fraud and corruption.
Morales thanked Duterte for keeping his trust in him.
“He never wavered in his confidence in me, and I’m so humbled. He is a true friend,” he said.
Morales said he will continue to participate in the investigations concerning PhilHealth.
“The investigation will push through. I signed bank secrecy waiver, submitted to the lifestyle check, complied with the ongoing investigation of the Department of Justice,” he said.
The controversy surrounding PhilHealth prompted the resignation of
Rodolfo del Rosario Jr. as senior vice president for the legal sector.
In a radio interview, Del Rosario said the controversy has started to affect his physical and mental health.
“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 mentally as well,” he said.
“With my resignation, hopefully, this will ease some pressure and will help me recuperate,” he added.
Like Morales, he said his resignation will not prevent him from participating in the investigations.
“We will continue to cooperate with the investigations being conducted by the government, and hope that the truth will come out and justice will be attained for everyone involved,” he said.
Del Rosario has been tagged by PhilHealth board member and whistleblower Alejandro Cabading as a member of a suspected mafia in PhilHealth. He is also one of the 13 PhilHealth officials suspended for six months early this month by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, also PhilHealth board chairman, thanked Morales for his efforts and sacrifices, said Health Undersecretary DOH Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“The Secretary truly appreciates the actions of president Morales especially that he has this illness, but, during this pandemic, he continued to work and provided the necessary services to the people through PhilHealth,” said Vergeire.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that Morales’ resignation letter dated August 26 has been received by the Office of the President.
Guevarra, head of a task force created by Duterte to look into the allegations of corruption, said the resignation of Morales and Del Rosario would make the investigations “a little easier.”
SENATE REPORT
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the President’s asking Morales to resign is “a humanitarian way of saying you’re fired.”
Sotto also said he will come out with the Senate committee of the whole report next week, which summarizes their findings and recommendations against all those involved in the anomalies.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he “feels sorry” for Morales but the resigned PhilHealth head will not be exempted from possible criminal liability due to the anomalies in the corporation.
“In spite of his possible complicity that could make him face some serious legal problems stemming from the report of the Senate committee of the whole, I still wish that he wins his bout against cancer and recovers,” Lacson said.
On Del Rosario, Lacson said his resignation “is one of many reasons to hope for some good things to come.”
“The paying members and all taxpayers who contribute to the state health insurance fund surely deserve a break from the cyclical corruption involving its top executives,” he added.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon called on an overhaul at PhilHealth, saying “as long as the general structure of the corporation remains the same, corruption will continue.” — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa
