This comes as US-based global investment firm KKR and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC are moving to unload their combined 80 percent stake in Metro Pacific Health after buying into the company six years ago.
“We want to pick up more than 30 percent so that we will be majority,” Pangilinan told reporters in a chance interview last week.
Metro Pacific, which owns major stakes in Manila Electric Co., Maynilad Water Services, and several expressways, currently owns a 20 percent stake in Metro Pacific Health, after selling down in 2019.
Pangilinan noted that KKR and GIC were still evaluating offers from two other bidders.
Depending on how those discussions progress, Metro Pacific will have the opportunity to make an offer later on, he said.
Metro Pacific Health is the country’s leading private hospital operator.
It has 27 healthcare facilities with about 4,500 beds.
Its hospitals include Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Riverside Medical Center, and Davao Doctors Hospital.
It also operates 33 outpatient care centers, two allied health colleges, and a centralized laboratory, Medi-Linx Laboratory.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
