PhilHealth Chief Ricardo Morales said Wednesday he was resigning from his post to focus on his health, after marathon Senate hearings uncovered mafia-led corruption the state-run insurer.
The PhilHealth mafia is so powerful, it can oust its presidents. It has also been in power for so long, according to the executive summary of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's report, released by Sen. Richard Gordon. Several hearings have been done on PhilHealth and Gordon led the stretch that ran in the middle of 2019. A new whistblower emerged this year during the lockdown, sparking fresh hearings.
READ ALSO: How Powerful Is PhilHealth Mafia? It Ousted Presidents, Enjoyed Lap Dances
"Ngayong umaga, I have to file it so that mayroong hard copy. Alam mo naman, burukrasya tayo (This morning, I have to file it so that there's a hard copy. You know, we have bureaucracy)," Morales told Teleradyo. He had been on sick leave.
News reports quoted Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra as saying that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted Morales to resign.
"Nagpapasalamat na rin ako sa Pangulo na pinayagan niya akong magpahinga. Maaatupag ko na iyong aking kalusugan at iyong aking pamilya (I am thankful to the president for allowing me to rest. I can now prioritize my health and family)," he said.
Duterte earlier said jail awaited those who misuse COVID and PhilHealth funds.
The Ombudsman earlier suspended 13 PhilHealth executives including PhilHealth Senior Vice President for the legal sector Rodolfo Del Rosario Jr., who is allegedly a part of the PhilHealth mafia. He announced Wednesday that he has resigned from his position.
