Andanar: Mocha asked permission to continue performing

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson was given permission to honor her entertainment contracts when she entered public service.

(Credit: MOCHA USON BLOG / MANILA BULLETIN)

This as the former sexy performer and one of President Duterte’s most prominent supporters went under fire after it was reported that she was performing at Resorts World (RW) Manila despite the ban on government officials to enter casinos.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in a text message, explained that Uson actually asked for permission to continue performing but said they will continue looking into the matter.

“Mocha asked permission to honor her entertainment contracts when she joined government. Anyhow, we are still looking into the matter of Mocha performing inside RW,” Andanar said.

However, he said he would discourage the social media personality from performing in such establishments.

“Mocha can still perform if she wishes pero (but) I would discourage her from performing in places like casinos,” Andanar said.

The Palace official also said that they would “look into the matter” in line with President Duterte’s Memorandum Circular No. 6 which prohibits government officials from entering gambling places.

House Overwhelmingly approves universal health for all Filipinos

Updated September 7, 2017, 3:45 PM

By Ben Rosario

Voting 222-7, the House of Representatives last night approved on third and final reading the bill providing universal health care for all Filipinos.

(EPA / MANILA BULLETIN)

A consolidation of three different legislative proposals, House Bill 5784 or the Unviersal Health Coverage Act will amend Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995.

Principal authors of the consolidated bills are Reps. Harry Roque (Kabayan Partylist); Vilma Santos Recto (LP, Batangas); Angelina D.L. Tan (NPC, Quezon); Victoria Isabel Noel (An Waray Partylist); Rose Marie J. Arenas (PDP-Laban, Pangasinan) and Cheryl P. Deloso Montalla (NUP, Zambales).

HB 5784 underscores the right of every Filipino to have access to a comprehensive set of health services that will not “cause financial hardship”.

Under the bill, in-patient health services will be made available at zero- co-payment for the non contributory group and for those who opt for basic accomomdation, and a fixed co-insurance rates for all who opt for higher types of accommodation.

For outpatient service, zero co-payment in public facilities and fixed co-insurance in private facilities will be guaranteed.

HB 5784 mandates that within three years from its effectivity as a law, every Filipino shall have a guaranteed primary care provider. Within two years, the Philippine Health Security Corporation will implement a comprehensive outpatient benefit, including outpatient drug benefit, in accordance with the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Council.

In the bill, the current National Health Insurance Program will be renamed National Health Security Program which will provide health insurance coverage for all Filipino citizens, thus, guaranteeing access to medical care with the least financial risk.

“The program shall serve as a means for the healthy to help pay for the care of the sick and for those who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot,” the bill provides.

Members of the program will be categorized as contributory or those who are gainfully employed and non-contributory, referring to indigents, senior citizens and others to be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

HB 5784 also proposes to create the National Health Security Fund that will get funding from contributions from the program, national government allocation and health assistance funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and local government units.