PhilHealth still awaiting DOJ opinion on debt payment to Red Cross

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is still awaiting the legal opinion from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before it will settle its debt of almost P1 billion to the Philippine National Red Cross (PRC).

“PhilHealth with the support of its Board of Directors, shall wait for DOJ’s opinion on the PhilHealth-PRC MOA for proper legal guidance on how to proceed with its payment to the PRC,” the state health insurer said in a statement.

Last week, PhilHealth President Dante Gierran maintained that the agency will not pay its debt to Red Cross until all legal issues regarding their memorandum of agreement are settled.

“It is reiterating that it has the funds to pay its obligations to PRC,” the PhilHealth said.

The state insurer’s refusal to settle its obligation to the Red Cross for the COVID-19 tests it conducted resulted in the stranding of thousands of overseas Filipino workers, since the humanitarian organization stopped conducting tests.

“It is requesting all those who have been affected by this issue for more patience and understanding as PhilHealth moves forward with this partnership with the proper legal support, all in aid of ensuring that members’ funds are properly handled and disbursed,” the PhilHealth said.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to pay off the P930-million debt of the PhilHealth to the Red Cross.

Red Cross conducts 30 percent of the total COVID-19 tests performed nationwide.

The organization accounted for over 1 million of the 4.3 million tests conducted as of October 18, data from the Department of Health show. -MDM, GMA News