By Fernan Angeles
MALACAÑANG appeared not inclined to the idea of seeing Acting Socio-economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua to lead the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid allegations of massive corruption in the state insurer.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque declined to comment on the recommendation and hinted at the President as the only person with the power to appoint officials in non-elective positions.
“Alam ninyo, pagdating po sa appointment, talagang tanging Presidente lang po ang makakasagot niyan,” Roque said in a virtual press briefing.
“Maski ako po’y tagapagsalita, wala po akong kapangyarihang sumagot diyan dahil appointment is exclusively the prerogative of the President,” he said.
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested that Chua, who currently leads the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority, takes the helm of PhilHealth.
There had been calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to appoint a PhilHealth “caretaker” while the state insurer is being investigated.