SBG joins clamor to audit Phil. Red Cross

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go said Pres. Duterte is within his rights to call for an audit of the financial transactions of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) “in so far as it involves the use of public funds.”

In a statement last September 4, 2021, the lawmaker explained that Pres. Duterte, as PRC honorary president, is within his rights to request a probe on the annual reports submitted by the organization, including the execution of a multi-million peso Memorandum of Agreement signed between the PRC and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation at the start of the pandemic for COVID-19 testing.

“Tignan na lang po, pakisilip na lang po, kung ano ang nakalagay sa batas sa Philippine Red Cross: at the end of every calendar year, submit to the President of the Philippines, an annual report containing its activities and showing its financial condition.

Kasi may mga pondo rin sa Red Cross na mula rin po sa mga government funds nanggagaling. At mayroon din pong gastos ang Red Cross na mula rin po o galing sa Philhealth,” Go explained.

“Ibig sabihin nito may pondo pa rin ito na mula gobyerno. Ang dapat ay i-account rin po kung ano po ‘yung mga pondong mula sa gobyerno. Ang amin lang po dito, ano po ‘yung totoo at in fairness po sa lahat ng nagtatrabaho,” he added.

Lawyer Larry Gadon, an advocate for transparency and good governance, had earlier called for “changes” in the PRC, as he also disputed the claim by some quarters that Pres. Duterte’s call for an audit of the PRC is misplaced as it is a private organization (see related story in this issue).

Go also noted that some quarters have already noted the possible ‘conflict of interest’ involving Sen. Richard Gordon.

Gordon, who is leading the investigation into the government’s handling of COVID-19 funds is also the chairman of the PRC, which Go noted, also has financial engagements with the government.

Go said that while retains his “deep respect” for Gordon, the issue of conflict of interest must also be resolved.

“Nasa sa kanya na ‘yon kung bibitawan niya (ang imbestigasyon).

“Personal na desisyon niya ‘yan. Ang nasabi ko lang naman baka maaaring mayroong conflict of interest dahil it is common knowledge that the chairman of SBRC is also the chairman of Philippine Red Cross …

“Tapos ngayon, imbestigahan mo ‘yung PhilHealth … So, may mga katanungan lang na baka magkaroon ng conflict of interest,” he continued.

Aside from the PRC’s financial arrangement with PhilHealth, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is also mandated to remit to the PRC at least two days of its earnings each year for its disaster response operations and blood donation campaigns.