Top PhilHealth execs can’t attend Senate probe

TWO officials of the beleaguered Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), one its Chief Executive, Ricardo Morales, will not be able to attend the Senate inquiry on August 11.

A medical certificate issued by Oncologist Maria Luisa Tiambeng of the Cardinal Santos Medical Center,  a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, showed that Morales has “a diffuse large B lymphoma and is advised to complete six cycles of chemotherapy”.

“It is therefore in his best interest that I have advised him to take a leave of absence,” Tiambeng said. 

This is the first time that the embattled PhilHealth chief disclosed his medical condition to the public.

Arnel De Jesus, PhilHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, sent a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, asking permission to be excused from the upcoming hearing due to an “unforeseen medical emergency”.

De Jesus assured the Senate that he would be available to testify once his health condition has improved. 

In his medical certificate also obtained by The Times, De Jesus said he had acute coronary syndrome, heart disease, and diabetes, among others. 

Sought for comment, Vice President for Corporate Affairs Shirley Domingo told The Times in a text message that she had no personal knowledge of the letters. 

Morales assured the public that they would continue to answer all allegations that have been hurled against them in the proper forum. 

President Rodrigo Duterte announced the formation of a joint task force to investigate allegations of fraud against the state insurer. 

Source: TheManila Times