Megastar Sharon Cuneta defended her husband Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan after the latter was blamed for a premium hike for OFW on their PhilHealth at this time of the pandemic.
On the Instagram account of the Megastar, she expressed how proud she was of her husband for supporting agriculture in the country.
Cuneta posted a photo of a letter from Cotabato governor Nancy Catamco thanking him for a policy that helped North Cotabato “boost food security and stimulate the economy.”
But a netizen brought up her concern about Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) hiking the mandatory contribution of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) this year.
The increase in premium payments is authored by Senator Kiko Pangilinan and is part of the implementing rules and regulations of the UHC law.
“Ms Sharon, but he authored again this OFW 3% mandatory for UHC… sana naman po makaisip din ng hindi pahirap sa amin.”
Cuneta immediately refuted the idea that Pangilinan was the author of the bill on imposing 3% on OFW Philhealth contribution,
Cuneta responded after clarifying and consulting her husband,
“I just asked him about it now! Lam mo naman si misis, Commander-in-chip! It was the entire Senate that approved it, but that was before COVID-19 turned the world upside down. So now they are saying that it should not be imposed at this time!” she said.
Cuneta showed empathy and said that she truly understands the situation of the OFWs especially at this time.
“I feel you. I pray that I see the day that no Filipino has to become an OFW because mayaman na ang bansa natin at marami nang trabaho.”
Lastly, Cuneta clarified that her husband had nothing to do on the PhilHealth hike,
“Please know that Kiko has nothing but the very best intentions for the country, I am still married to him so that means it’s true!”
This is in connection on Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) announcement that OFWs are required to contribute 3% of their monthly compensation for 2020.
This prompted the launch of an online petition on April 30, with over 300,000 signatures calling for an end to implementation.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. aired his disapproval on Twitter, even calling the implementers ‘assholes.’
Why don't we just leave OFWs alone except to help them when they are in trouble. Their blood but better wages abroad account for 10% of our GDP according to the assholes who want to take some of their earnings. https://t.co/QBoZSuYtEa
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 3, 2020
As of now, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered PhilHealth to suspend the collection of higher premiums from overseas Filipino workers. According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, “Habang meron tayong krisis, ang naging desisyon ng Presidente huwag na muna tayong magpataw ng karagdagang pahirap sa ating mga OFWs, lalong lalo na sa panahon na napakarami sa kanilang nare-repatriate at nawalan ng trabaho.”
