THREE officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) resigned over allegations of corruption in the state health insurance agency.According to The Manila Times sources, there was a tense exchange during the executive committee meeting of PhilHealth, which led to the resignations of Thorsson Montes Keith, anti-fraud legal officer; and Bai Laborte, head executive assistant of PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales.A certain lawyer, identified only as Labe and who is also a legal officer of PhilHealth, will also tender his resignation, according to the same sources.The Manila Times also obtained the signed resignation letter of Keith, detailing his reasons for his resignation that will be effective on August 31.Keith said that he opposed the implementation of the mandatory payment of PhilHealth contributions by Overseas Filipino Workers, which was 'unconstitutional' because it was not part of the Universal Health Care law.“It is against my personal values to let the OFWs pay for the spillages of PhilHealth” he said.He also cited the 'rampant and patent unfairness in the promotion of officers in the state health firm', the delay in his salary and hazard pay since the start of the investigation of officers in PhilHealth, and 'widespread corruption'.“I think it is better for me to resign and let the course of things go its way,” Keith wrote in his letter.PhilHealth has yet to comment on the resignations.
