Health advocates lament transfer of P60B PhilHealth funds ahead of SC oral arguments

Several health advocates on Monday called the transfer of P60 billion funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury as a “murder” of Universal Healthcare.

In a press conference, former Undersecretary for the Population and Development Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III said the fund transfer “was completely unjustified” and may even affect indirect PhilHealth members seeking healthcare services. 

"The murder of universal healthcare is happening before the eyes of the Filipino people, orchestrated and executed by the very government that should be safeguarding their right to health,” Perez stressed.

He argued that PhilHealth even has a “negative equity” given its liabilities amounting ot P1.163 trillion, citing the state insurer’s Annual Financial Report certified by the Commission on Audit. He said PhilHealth's deficit stood at P664 billion, which was the second highest among all government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). 

“Ano man ang perang naiiwan sa PhilHealth…ito ay hindi sapat para sa healthcare ng mga Pilipino. Lalo na itong e-Konsulta, kung talagang ilalabas ito, hindi dapat kulang ang pera ng PhilHealth dahil P190 billion ang gagastusin para dito,” Perez said.

(No matter how much money is left in PhilHealth, that is not enough for the healthcare of Filipinos. Especially this e-Konsulta, if this will be used, PhilHealth should not lack money because they will be needing P190 billion for it.)

“Hindi dapat pinag uusapan kung marami o napakalaki ng pera ng PhilHealth, ang kailangan ay sapat para masagot ang pang kalusugang pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino. Kasama roon itong konsulta, mga package sa ospital, at iba pang mga packages,” he added.

(We should not argue whether PhilHealth has a lot or too much money, what is needed is to have enough funds to meet the health needs of every Filipino. This includes consultation, hospital packages, and other packages.)

In October, the SC issued a temporary restraining order against the further transfer of the PhilHealth funds to the national treasury.

So far, PhilHealth said that P60 billion has been transferred to the national treasury with only P29.9 billion remaining with the agency. A total of P89.9 billion excess funds of PhilHealth is expected to be transmitted to the state coffers on a staggered basis.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines College of Medicine professor Dr. Antonio Dans called on the Executive department, as well as other political leaders not to put universal healthcare at risk.

“Ang kalusugan ‘wag nating gawing utang na loob. Panatilihin nating karapatan ang healthcare at kalusugan. Napakasama ng loob ng maraming tao sa kanila. Lahat sila nangako na itutulak nila ang Universal Healthcare, hindi naman natin akalin na itutulak nila sa bangin. Itulak nila nang tunay—gawing karapatan ang kalusugan,” he said.

(Let's not make the people’s health a debt of gratitude. Let's keep healthcare a human right. A lot of people get angry at politicians because they all promised that they would push Universal Healthcare. We didn't think they would push it to the brink. They should make health a right and really push for it.)

The SC has set the oral arguments of the petitions seeking to block the transfer of the multi-billion PhilHealth funds on Tuesday, February 4.

The oral proceedings stemmed from the petition filed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the Philippine Medical Association, and ex-Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, asking the high court to issue a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the transfer of PhilHealth funds.

The government's economic managers earlier vowed to "find a way" to return P60 billion to state insurer PhilHealth if the Supreme Court orders them to, as the amount transferred to the National Treasury had already been utilized.

PhilHealth funds ‘more than enough’

The Department of Health (DOH), in response, maintained that PhilHealth has the financial capability to pay for the health benefits of Filipinos for this year, all while enhancing benefit packages.

“The transfer of PhilHealth funds revived the issue of Universal Health Care. For years, PhilHealth funds languished in the bank, far from and unused by ordinary Filipinos,” said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, who chairs the PhilHealth Board of Directors.

“If the transfer of funds had not happened, the call to use it would not have intensified, because it is PhilHealth's duty to pay the benefits of its members,” he added.

According to the DOH, PhilHealth has been implementing its P284 billion corporate operating budget since January 1, 2025.

This includes a 10% increase in benefits, compared to last year. The corporation is currently increasing case rates for the most used benefit packages, including those for community-acquired pneumonia, hypertension, animal bites, and others. —RF, GMA Integrated News