Sotto on PhilHealth's Morales: Unfair to cling to post despite illness

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said government officials with serious illnesses should relinquish their posts, especially if their mandate is being compromised.

"The public is being shortchanged when you have public officials who cannot perform their work because of one reason or another especially if he has prevailing health... a very poor health condition," Sotto told reporters in a virtual interview.

Sotto was asked what he thinks about Morales' decision to keep his medical condition from the public in previous months.

"It is unfair to the government and unfair to the people. Eh ang tagal ninyo palang nagtatrabaho diyan, may sakit pala kayo. 'Yun bang sakit ninyo can allow you to perform your duties 100%? Dapat noon pa lang [sinabi na]," he said while noting that senators were previously unaware of Morales' illness.

"Out of delicadeza, if you're sick and you cannot perform your work, you either take a leave if your recovery is possible. If it's not going to be possible in a certain span of time, it's best to resign," he added.

Sotto, however, declined to give a definite answer yet when asked if he thinks Morales' poor health condition has been taken advantage of by corrupt officials within PhilHealth.

"I cannot say yes, I cannot say no, I'd rather leave it to how we assess the committee report after we hear everything," he said.

It was disclosed on Saturday that the 67-year-old PhilHealth chief was suffering from lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemotherapy sessions.

Earlier in the day, Morales announced that he is seeking a medical leave.

“If you look at the history of this corporation, ang bilis magpalit ng CEO, causing delays. I did not want to resign, because we will be implementing Universal Health Care law, and then we were hit by COVID. It is not wise to change the course in the middle of the road,” Morales said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

“But nature has intervened. I will take the doctor’s advice. I already relayed to my boss my intentions. It is up for them to decide. It is medical leave,” he added.

Morales said he regrets that the privacy of his medical condition was not respected but Sotto said the public has the right to know.

"When you hold a high public office, you are a servant of, and answerable to, the people. There is no privacy!" Sotto said.

The Senate leader agreed to the proposition of PhilHealth employees that a "caretaker" be appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte while the investigations are ongoing.

"Hopefully, ang mailalagay na caretaker ay matalim ang mga mata at masilip ang mga kamalian at anomalya," Sotto said.—AOL, GMA News