Malacañang has assured the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) that the longstanding Php700M debt of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for the ongoing COVID-19 swab tests, will be paid as instructed and vouched for by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque stated that audit rules and standard verification process should be followed before the debt is settled.
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“May proseso na sinusunod. Hindi naman po parang pribadong organization ang PhilHealth. Mayroong mga verifications, mayroon mga CoA (Commission on Audit) rules and regulations na dapat sundin dahil gobyerno pa rin po ang PhilHealth,” assured Secretary Roque.
The presidential spokesperson also stated that the government has proven that it manages to pay and settle its debts to PRC citing balances that have been paid for the past few months.
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“Pero going by track record, nagkakautang, nag-babayad naman po. Ang Presidente na nagsalita he vouches na lahat ng pagkakautang ng PhilHelath sa tests will be paid,” added Secretary Roque.
PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon initially accepted a Php500 million settlement from PhilHealth late last year when the PhilHealth debt ballooned to over Php1.1 billion.
