SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has expressed support to the recent petitions filed before the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the controversial transfer of PHP 89.9 billion in excess funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury.
Go emphasized that such legal actions are crucial in ensuring transparency and accountability in government, particularly in the allocation and use of public health funds intended for the Filipino people.
The third petition, led by former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and the 1Sambayan Coalition, argues that the transfer of the special PhilHealth funds constitutes technical malversation. The funds, collected through the excise tax from the Sin Tax Law, were specifically earmarked for healthcare services under PhilHealth’s mandate.
The petition contends that the Department of Finance (DOF)’s Circular 003-2024, which facilitated the transfer, violates the Constitution’s provisions on the reallocation of funds for specific purposes.
Go, who has been persistent in addressing issues surrounding the management of PhilHealth funds, stated that this development highlights the importance of safeguarding public resources meant to provide critical health services to millions of Filipinos.
“Bilang chairperson ng Senate Committee on Health, matagal ko nang isinusulong na tiyakin ang wasto at maayos na paggamit ng pondo ng PhilHealth. Ang mga pondong ito ay para sa kalusugan ng taumbayan, kaya’t hindi dapat ito magamit sa ibang layunin,” Go asserted.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa health! Ang pera ng bayan na pangkalusugan ay dapat magamit upang proteksyunan ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino,” he reiterated.
He added that the funds should remain dedicated to their original purpose—financing healthcare services and providing medical assistance to Filipinos, especially those from low-income sectors.
“Bakit po ang PhilHealth ang kinuhanan? Alam naman natin na maraming pasyente pa ang nangangailangan ng tulong at malaki pa rin ang out-of-pocket expenses nila?” Go pointed out.
Under his leadership, the Senate Committee on Health has conducted several hearings to address issues surrounding the allocation and utilization of PhilHealth resources, urging for reforms to ensure that the funds are maximized for their intended purpose.
“Kabilang po sa mga repormang ito ang pagtataas sa case rates o halagang sasagutin ng PhilHealth; dagdagan pa ang mga sakit na puwedeng i-cover; ibaba ang contribution o kaltas sa sahod ng mga regular members; palawakin ang benefit packages katulad ng para sa dental, visual at mental health; magbigay ng mga assistive devices, tulad ng wheelchairs at salamin, ayon sa rekomendasyon ng mga doktor; magpamahagi ng libreng gamot; at rebisahin ang mga outdated na polisiya tulad ng 24-hour confinement rule, at ang hindi pagsama sa emergency care sa mga benepisyong covered ng PhilHealth,” Go enumerated.
Go also pointed out that aside from the legal issue being challenges, he finds the transfer immoral and unacceptable given the plight of numerous Filipino patients needing medical aid from the government.
“Gaya ng sinabi ko noong nakaraang mga hearing, legally, baka mayroon silang magandang palusot. But morally? For me, this is unacceptable. Binuhusan ng pondo ang PhilHealth para ma-implementa nito ang mga programa ayon sa UHC (Universal Health Care),” Go asserted.
The oral arguments for the case are set for January 2025, though by then, Go warned that the majority of the PHP 89.9 billion may have already been transferred to the treasury.
Go, however, remains optimistic that the Supreme Court’s intervention will clarify the legal boundaries for the use of these funds and bring about the necessary reforms to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
