By Clarist Mae Zablan
(August 2, 2024) – The Department of Finance (DOF) on Friday assured support for the health sector as the transfer of excess funds under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury faced a legal challenge.
DOF secretary Ralph Recto maintained that the government’s moves to secure funds for its programs do not come at the expense of the health sector.
“Whatever measures by the government to source financing for its programs and projects are undertaken consistent with the belief that its capacity to address the primary needs of our people—including health—is not compromised,” said Recto in a statement.
He added that they are ready to answer questions on the legality of the DOF’s order to transfer PhilHealth’s P89.9 billion worth of excess funds to the national treasury.
Earlier, Sen. Koko Pimentel III led various sectoral groups and concerned citizens in filing a petition before the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the insertion of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the unprogrammed appropriations under this year’s national budget.
The petitioners describe the move as “pilfering” and a “grave disservice to the Filipino people who depend on PhilHealth for financial risk protection from illness.”
Former DOF undersecretary Cielo Magno, one of the petitioners, encouraged the public to also file petitions to challenge the transfer of excess funds.
“Minarapat lang natin na i-file na ito ngayon para matugunan agad ang issue, dahil kasama sa pleading natin ay ‘yung mag-isyu ng TRO (temporary restraining order) ang Supreme Court para mapigilan na ‘yung pag-transfer ng ibang pondo,” said Magno, who’s also an economist, on One News’ Storycon.
Last month, Magno sounded the alarm on the development, saying it violates Section 11 of the Universal Health Care Act, which provides that excess funds can only be used to increase PhilHealth’s benefits and decrease the members’ contribution amounts.
Sen. Bong Go also wanted clarifications from PhilHealth and the DOF regarding the move.
(PM)
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