Duterte assures gov’t to pay Red Cross over PhilHealth’s debt

October 20, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte assured on Monday the government will pay the debt incurred by Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to Philippine Red Cross for the coronavirus disease reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests conducted on certain individuals.

In a televised message, Duterte said it might take time to pay the P930-million debt to PRC, but it would surely be paid.

"Red Cross, don't worry, you will be paid. We are just looking for a way to present the solution to COA (Commission on Audit) as well as the (Department of) Budget (and Management)," he said.

"Do not worry. We will pay. It will take time but we will pay. We'll look for money...this will be paid in a short while," Duterte added.

He also expressed belief that Senator Richard Gordon, who heads the Red Cross, would continue to support the government in its efforts against COVID-19.

"I do not think Senator Gordon would have in his mind to stop. They would continue. What I'm trying to say is we will pay," he added.

The PRC has stopped the COVID-19 testing funded by PhilHealth to selected individuals, such as overseas Filipino workers, those arriving in airports and seaports, and public healthcare workers, after the latter's debt ballooned to almost a billion pesos.

Some government agencies, including the Senate, investigated the alleged anomalies in PhilHealth and recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against some of its executives, including former president and CEO Ricardo Morales. Celerina Monte/DMS