Duterte asks Morales to step down from PhilHealth: Guevarra

August 26, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte asked Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth) head Ricardo Morales to resign due to his health, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said late Tuesday.

Morales has been diagnosed with lymphoma recently and is on medical leave.

''The president took note last night of Morales' on-and-off health situation and stated that it would be the best for the latter and for PhilHealth to give up his post during these critical times for the agency,'' said Guevarra.

Guevarra's statement came after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea met the former Army general.

''ES (Executive Secretary) Medialdea added that he had talked earlier to Morales, and that the latter would understand if he had to be replaced,'' said Guevarra.

Guevarra heads the Task Force PhilHealth investigating various anomalies at the state-owned health insurance agency. DMS