Advocacy groups file SC petition vs. PhilHealth zero subsidy in 2025 budget

Several health advocacy groups on Friday filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the zero subsidy for state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in the 2025 national budget.

Among the petitioners are Social Watch Philippines, Medical Action Group, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, National Public Workers Congress, Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines, Inc., and Likhaan Center for Women’s Health.

The groups argued that the absence of funding for the state health insurer under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is unconstitutional. 

"Unfortunately, Congress and the Executive brushed off the intent and plain language of the laws earmarking funds for UHC (Universal Health Care). Even while the UHC had yet to be fully implemented, Congress failed to fully allocate PhilHealth's share of sin taxes, and the Executive failed to remit to PhilHealth its mandated share of PAGCOR and PCSO revenues, in clear contravention of the Constitution, the UHCA, and Sin Tax Laws," the 58-page petition read.

"All these actions and inaction weaken UHC's sustainable financing and push us back from achieving healthcare for all....  Petitioners seek to change this sad state of affairs and save people's lives by asking the Supreme Court to compel Congress and the Executive to perform their mandate and follow the letter and spirit of the law," it added. 

The decision to slash PhilHealth's subsidy stems from the state insurer's P600-billion reserve funds, as disclosed by Senate Finance Committee chairperson Grace Poe during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had cited PhilHealth's lapses as the reason behind the removal of its subsidy.

This comes after controversies surrounding  PhilHealth's transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds to the national treasury.

The petitioners pray that the SC will order the automatic appropriation of the sin tax share for PhilHealth.

The petition also asks for the respondents to implement the quarterly remittance of the PAGCOR and PCSO UHC shares to the state health insurer.

Further, the petitioners also seek that the Bureau of the Treasury will create special accounts in the general fund to ensure that the sin tax share, PAGCOR UHC share, and PCSO UHC share are fully remitted to PhilHealth. 

Aside from PhilHealth, the respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Escudero, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Last February, health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon also filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the 2025 national budget, citing the absence of funding for PhilHealth. — VDV, GMA Integrated News