Embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation president Ricardo Morales might agree to sign a bank secrecy waiver to clear himself of any alleged anomaly in the state insurance firm, Malacanang said Thursday.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque said that while Morales is close to President Duterte, he expressed confidence that Morales will also agree to sign the waiver, like what his colleagues in the state insurance firm will do.
A House leader on Wednesday, August 12, challenged PhilHealth officials to sign bank secrecy waivers so that the Anti-Money Laundering Council can check their bank accounts, amid allegations of corruption in the state agency.
Roque said the retired Army brigadier general will surely commit to sign the waiver.
“Maybe Gen. Morales was not able to give his consent because he was not feeling well and left early,” Roque said. “But in any case, all of the government officials filed their SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth) and we have signed allowing the Ombudsman to open our bank accounts.”
Morales is set to take a medical leave next week to undergo chemotherapy for lymphoma.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force to probe PhilHealth officials over corruption claims which were uncovered during a Senate inquiry.
PhilHealth, which administers the national health insurance program, is facing scrutiny following allegations that billions in funds were lost due to a "culture" of corruption and illegal acts carried out by a "mafia."
