SC issues TRO vs. transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to treasury

October 29, 2024 , 06:11 PM

By Clarist Mae Zablan

(October 29, 2024) – The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the further transfer of nearly P90 billion in excess funds from state health insurer PhilHealth to the national treasury, in a move welcomed by the petitioners.

SC granted in an en banc session the prayer for a TRO stemming from three petitions filed by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Bayan Muna Party-list, and 1SAMBAYAN Coalition against the fund transfer, the court said in a press briefer.

The high court also consolidated the three petitions and required the respondents in the case of 1SAMBAYAN to file their comments on the petition within 10 days from receipt of notice.

ALSO READ: Third petition filed vs. P90-B PhilHealth fund transfer

Pimentel welcomed the SC’s move, noting that it will at least prevent PhilHealth’s funds from being “dissipated pending the resolution of the case.”

“In my belief those funds are members’ contributions hence should be treated as ‘sacred funds,’” Pimentel told the media. “Good idea na dapat bantayan ang wording ng mga mechanism which allow the tapping of the unprogrammed funds.”

Former SC associate justice and 1SAMBAYAN convenor Antonio Carpio also thanked the high court for the issuance of the TRO.

“This saves the poorest of the poor of Filipinos, numbering tens of millions, whose only source of life-saving medicine is the PhilHealth,” he said in a statement.

For his part, former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares called the TRO a “significant victory for the Filipino people, especially for PhilHealth beneficiaries who rely on these funds for their healthcare needs.”

PhilHealth and Finance Sec. Ralph Recto said they would respect the SC’s move.

“We give our full cooperation to the Supreme Court as we look forward to the opportunity to shed light on the issues presented during the oral arguments. With this honorable platform, we trust that all issues will be addressed once and for all,” Recto said in a news release.

(With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)

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