Palace welcomes signing of bank secrecy waiver by some PhilHealth officials

August 17, 2020

Malacanang hailed on Monday the signing of waiver by some officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., including its president and CEO Ricardo Morales, allowing the Anti-Money Laundering Council to look into their bank transactions.

"Hallelujah is all I have to say. That’s good for them, good for the country," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual press briefing.

Morales and 13 other PhilHealth officials reportedly signed their respective waivers amid corruption investigations being conducted by various government agencies in the agency and on its officials.

Morales, who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma, has also taken a leave of absence.

Asked of the PhilHealth caretaker after Morales went on leave, Roque said, "What I know is there is an OIC because the PhilHealth (president) has taken a medical leave. I just don't know who was appointed as the OIC."

He said President Rodrigo Duterte does not need to appoint an OIC.

"If I'm not mistaken, it will be one of the vice-presidents but not any of the controversial vice presidents," Roque added. Celerina Monte/DMS