Philippine News Agency
Gov’t can go to court to compel PRC to submit financial records
Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo stated that the government could seek court intervention to compel the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to submit its financial reports.
This statement follows President Rodrigo Duterte's repeated demands for PRC Chair and Senator Richard Gordon to open the humanitarian organization's financial records.
Panelo emphasized that non-compliance with reporting requirements could lead to legal liability and a violation for the PRC if they fail to submit records within five years.
He added that if the PRC has nothing to hide, it should refrain from coming up with reasons why the Filipino people do not have a right to be informed on its business dealings.
The issue arose in the context of a Senate inquiry into alleged overpricing of medical supplies procured by the Department of Health for COVID-19 response in 2020.
President Duterte had previously threatened to cease all government transactions with the PRC.
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