"MUKHANG PERA" said President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippine Red Cross in his recent press talk.

BANTUGAN| "Mukhang pera" said President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippine Red Cross in his recent press talk. "Mukhang pera." said President Rodrigo Duterte in his latest press talk, after when DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that the Philippine Red Cross have resumed in conducted COVID-19 tests after the PhilHealth paid its close to ₱1B debt. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III reported in a live meeting with the cabinet officials that the Philippine Red Cross resumed its COVID-19 testing charged to PhilHealth, after receiving the partial payment. The Philippine Red Cross discontinued its operations on COVID-19 testing after the PhilHealth had yet to settle its increasing balance. The operations conducted by the Red Cross is funded by the state insurance agency. Recently, its operations resumed after receiving the partial settlement. "Nabayaran na po ang PRC at nagbukas na sila muli kaya patuloy na ang kanilang pagsusuri ng mga swab specimen" Duque said in the meeting. Duterte quickly reacted to the report, saying "Mukhang pera." Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon defended Philippine Red Cross. "Hindi kami mukhang pera. Pero sabi ko lang, dahan-dahan naman sa pananalita because nakakatulong naman kami. Hindi naman kami umuutang, sila ang umutang, sila nagpatest, ginawa namin. 'Di ba dapat bayaran ninyo?" As of November 5, the PRC has been paid ₱600 Million already by the PhilHealth. Source: Philippine Star & CNN Philippines Layout: William Jefferson P. Granzon ✒️: William Jefferson P. Granzon.