Shortly after it was reported that PhilHealth officials have stolen over P15 billion in fraudulent schemes, Philhealth chief Ricardo Morales was reportedly advised by his doctor to take a leave while undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma.

In a medical certificate submitted to the Senate Committee of the Whole on August 7, the attending oncologist of the PhilHealth president and CEO disclosed that Morales was “diagnosed case of Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma” and was going through cancer treatment at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

This means Morales will miss the continuation of the Senate investigation into PhilHealth set on Tuesday.

Medical references described the disease as an aggressive or fast-growing form of lymphoma that affects white blood cells, developing in lymph nodes. It is “considered potentially curable,” according to the US Lymphoma Research Foundation.

The copy of the medical certificate was submitted to the Senate, constituted as Committee of the Whole to look into alleged widespread corruption within the Philhealth.

“He is advised to complete 6 cycles of treatment during which he will be immunocompromised and vulnerable to opportunistic infections. It is, therefore, in his best interest that I have advised him to take a leave of absence,” said the oncologist.

Morales will go through a repeat PET CT scan following his chemotherapy cycles, “after which I shall make a recommendation when he can resume work,” the doctor said.

Another PhilHealth official, Executive Vice President and chief operating officer 7 of Philhealth Arnel De Jesus also sought to be excused from the next Senate hearing on August 11 “due to an unforeseen medical emergency.”

In his letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, De Jesus said he won’t be able to appear on the hearing and also attached his copy of his medical certificate. It cited 6 illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes.

“Rest assured I will make myself available when my health permits. I respectfully ask that my privacy be respected during this time,” read the letter.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. already rejected allegations of corruption against its executives.

“[PhilHealth] categorically denies in strongest terms that its senior officials have ‘pocketed’ some P15 billion,” a statement from the agency’s chief Ricardo Morales, posted on Facebook and Twitter, read.

Although the corporation already denied the allegations, netizens don’t believe their statement and even insisted that they’re just using their sickness as an excuse to evade the issue which just shows that they are guilty of the crime.

Actor and singer Inigo Pascual, MOR DJ Jhaiho, and music producer Roque “Rox” Santos questioned ABS-CBN’s biggest antagonists Representatives Rodante Marcoleta, Mike Defensor and Crispin Remulla’s silence regarding the corruption in the health insurance agency.

Talent manager Ogie Diaz also called out the 70 congressmen who voted for the ABS-CBN franchise denial for remaining quiet on the PhilHealth corruption.

Actress Nikki Valdez also called out those who are very angry with the ABS-CBN yet have no comment on the corruption issue.

https://twitter.com/nikkivaldez_/status/1291994661305716736?fbclid=IwAR24bUV3ui-I9M5oX5cPp_G3q8kXRlMfM-ei7SJhjUGK4YtRjVnxHzWv16Q

Reporter Kevin Manalo said that it is just right for people to speak up regarding the Philhealth issue because it is wrong for people to be blind to crime.

Pia Magalona, wife of late rapper Francis Magalona, and Gideon Lasco, physician and medical anthropologist, also spoke up and questioned the Philhealth officials’ ability to remain in the office if they were too sick.

ABS-CBN writers, producers, and, journalists also shared their opinion on the issue.

Netizens likened the Philhealth officials’ sudden health issues with former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she was charged with corruption. They said that the only way to escape the issue was to wear a neck brace just like the former president.

https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1292024297892933632?fbclid=IwAR2-ku5yfysQDw113pQEEemgCRFXplYxF4guuK3Ob_nhhiopTjPyeZeMHXg

Many netizens believe that the health issues of the Philhealth officials aree just an excuse or made up.