MANILA, Philippines — Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday advised presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to refrain from commenting on the COVID-19 testing agreement between the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
In an interview over Teleradyo, Gordon was asked about a statement supposedly made by Roque that the price being charged by the PRC for COVID-19 tests should vary depending on whether the machines and test kits used are donated or not.
But Gordon, who is also the chairman of the PRC, quickly said: “Walang pakialam si Secretary Roque rito. Panay ang bira niya e. Wala siyang pakialam diyan. Hindi siya kasali.”
“Siya nga ang unang tinest namin nung nagpunta sila dun, palakpak siya nang palakpak e. Sabi niya ‘Ang galing nito, ang galing nito.’ Nagpa-test kaagad pati asawa niya,” he said.
(He was among the first we tested when they came to our lab, he was even clapping. He said ‘This is great, this is great.’ He got tested immediately, as well as his wife.)
“Bakit siya biglang makikialam? Alam kong mahal niya ang PhilHealth, mahal ko rin ang PhilHealth, pero gusto kong maayos yung PhilHealth,” he added.
(Why would he meddle? I know he cares for PhilHealth. I care for PhilHealth too, but I want to straighten them out.)
Further, Gordon said the PRC offers the lowest price range for COVID-19 tests.
“Ang presyo namin ang pinakamababa. Alam niya ‘yan. P3,500 sa PhilHealth,” the senator said. “Ibababa pa namin… Kaya wag na siyang makialam baka lalong sumama pa.”
(Our price is the lowest. He knows that. We charge P3,500 each test for PhilHealth… We are even considering lowering the cost. So he should not meddle anymore, or it could get worse.)
The PRC resumes COVID-19 tests chargeable to PhilHealth on Wednesday after the state insurer settled half of its over P1-billion debt on Tuesday.