PhilHealth OIC Named After Duterte Accepts Morales Resignation

PhilHealth's board on Thursday named an officer-on-charge after President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of the state-run insurer's former president and CEO, Ricardo Morales.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Arnel De Jesus will take over from retired Army general Ricardo Morales, who stepped down citing ill health while the agency was under several corruption investigations.

ALSO READ: PhilHealth Boss Morales to Resign, Heeding Duterte Call

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the primary consideration for Morales' replacement was that he or she should not be tainted with corruption.

Like Morales, De Jesus also has health problems. He previously left a congressional hearing midway due to a medical emergency. He has since asked to be excused from Senate and Congress hearings because of this, citing heart ailments and diabetes.

The Senate's anti-graft panel on Tuesday unveiled findings on an alleged mafia that was behind long-running corruption in PhilHealth. Duterte earlier said jail awaited those who misuse COVID-19 and PhilHealth funds.

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