MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has so far paid the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) P700 million for its debt but has yet to settle some P377 million, PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said Friday.
“They have paid P700 million. The outstanding balance is 377 million,” Gordon said in an online press conference, citing figures as of Thursday.
“I think they are headed toward maintaining quick payment. Hindi na papalakihin kasi kapag pinalaki maraming problema (They may not allow the debt to increase because it gives rise to many problems),” he also said.
Gordon said this a day after President Rodrigo Duterte called the PRC “mukhang pera” (greedy) after PRC resumed its COVID-19 testing services following the government’s partial payment of its debt to the humanitarian organization.
The senator said he was not offended by the President’s remark, but cautioned Duterte against issuing statements that are “not really presidential.”