Bill lets Duterte suspend PhilHealth premium hike

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved House Bill No. 8461 authorizing President Duterte to suspend the scheduled increase in PhilHealth premium rates this year. Under the bill, the President may suspend the scheduled hike “in times of national emergencies” after consultation with health and finance secretaries. Mr. Duterte had earlier ordered PhilHealth to defer the implementation of its premium hike, which is mandated by Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Healthcare Act. The House also approved on second reading House Bill No. 8259, or the “Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumaban Kontra COVID-19 Act,” which would grant a 25-percent discount on the income taxes of COVID-19 medical front-liners for the taxable year 2020. —Nestor Corrales