Duterte says it would be best for Morales to resign: DOJ chief

FILE: PhilHealth President BGen Ricardo C. Morales (PIA photo)

MANILA – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte has told him that it would be best for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales to step down over health issues.

“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,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

He said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had talked earlier to Morales who said he would understand if he had to be replaced.

Duterte earlier issued a memorandum directing Guevarra to form a task force that will investigate the alleged widespread corruption in the PhilHealth.

On August 10, Morales filed medical leave upon the advice of his doctor due to lymphoma.

The 67-year-old retired Army general was appointed to head PhilHealth in August last year.

After retiring from the Philippine Army in 2009, Morales became vice president and general manager of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Insurance Corp. for a year before becoming president of the AFP Mutual Benefit Association Inc.