Marcos says ex-PhilHealth chief resigned due to struggles with politics
Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. —PHOTO FROM PHILHEALTH FB PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) head Emmanuel Ledesma resigned from his post because he struggled with the role and is “not used to politics,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed on Thursday.
READ: Orthopedic surgeon Edwin Mercado is new PhilHealth president, CEO
In a Palace briefing, Marcos was asked why there had been a sudden change in leadership in the state health insurer.
Dr. Edwin Mercado, last January 4, took an oath before Marcos as the new president and chief executive officer of PhilHealth.
“Well, yes, he [Ledesma] left his position already. Sabi niya that nahihirapan na rin yata siya sa ano, with all of the… Hindi siya sanay sa pulitika,” Marcos said.
Article continues after this advertisement(He said that he’s probably struggling with all of it, and he’s not used to politics.)
Article continues after this advertisement“Ledesma very much comes from the private sector. So, I think he found the transition to be jarring, shall we say,” he added.
Ledesma’s replacement came at the wake of criticisms for his alleged “inefficient” utilization of the PhilHealth fund.
Group Nagkaisa Labor Coalition urged Marcos last December to remove Ledesma and the entire PhilHealth board after Congress slapped the state health insurer with a zero subsidy in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
