Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President and CEO Ricardo Morales lamented on Sunday that his privacy was not respected amid allegations of corruption in and his ongoing medical treatment.
“As President and Chief Executive, it is my duty to represent the corporation while still physically capable. I regret that my privacy was not respected,” Morales said in a statement.
PhilHealth had underscored that Morales is willing to attend the Senate hearing on Tuesday, though he suggested his attendance would be done online because of his immunocompromised state.
“PhilHealth President and CEO Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ricardo C. Morales submitted his medical certificate, as required, to request Senate to allow his online instead of his physical presence,” it said.
He was diagnosed with cancer in February and undergoing chemotherapy, PhilHealth said. According to the state insurer, Morales continues to hold office against medical advice.
Aside from Morales, PhilHealth executive vice president Arnel De Jesus also disclosed unfavorable medical conditions to the Senate ahead of the continuation of the legislative probe.
PhilHealth’s former anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith said a ‘’mafia” was able to steal some P15 billion from the state insurer through several fraudulent schemes.
Keith said that the PhilHealth “mafia” has deep roots in the agency, including top officials in the executive committee.
Keith said among the fraudulent schemes being employed are the cash advances, the use of the interim reimbursement mechanism, and the continuous procurement of IT equipment the agency already has.
PhilHealth denied allegations./Stacy Ang
