Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan disclosed that she was offered the top position at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) by the Marcos administration but politely declined, saying the role was not aligned with her expertise.

In an interview with radio journalist Anthony Taberna on his YouTube channel, Lacuna-Pangan revealed that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa approached her and asked if she would be interested in becoming the next president of PhilHealth.

“In passing, sinabi po ni Secretary Hernosa… if I’m interested na maging head ng PhilHealth. Ang sagot ko po, hindi ko po yan forte. Hindi po ako aalis bilang alkalde,” she said. 

(In passing, Secretary Herbosa mentioned if I was interested to head PhilHealth. I told him it’s not my forte. I have no intention of leaving my post as mayor of Manila).

Taberna also revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself recommended Lacuna-Pangan for the position. However, despite the offer coming from the highest official in the country, the Manila mayor reiterated that she was committed to fulfilling her responsibilities as the city’s leader.

“Hindi ko ho ano ‘yang PhilHealth na ‘yan, baka mas maka-damage pa ko diyan kaysa makatulong,” she added. 

(PhilHealth is not my area of expertise. I might do more harm than good if I accept the role,” she humbly admitted).

Currently, Lacuna-Pangan is seeking reelection as mayor of Manila, vying for her second three-year term. She is set to face tough competition from former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, party-list representative Sam Verzosa, actor Raymond Bagatsing, and other candidates.