Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, expressed strong commendation for the Supreme Court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury.
“This is one big win for the Filipino people! Sulit ang ating pangungulit!” he declared, underscoring that public health funds should solely support the health and wellness of Filipinos.
“We thank the Supreme Court for heeding the calls to temporarily stop the illegal and immoral transfer of health funds from PhilHealth to finance projects unrelated to the health and wellness of our people,” he added.
The Supreme Court’s order to halt the transfer came after three petitions argued that the transfer would undermine the health sector. Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting clarified that while the TRO prevents further transfers, funds already moved to the Treasury would not be automatically returned. As of October, the Department of Finance (DOF) has already transferred PHP 60 billion, with another tranche expected in November.
The Supreme Court’s decision, Go noted, aligns with his persistent calls to safeguard funds allocated for healthcare. He extended his gratitude to the court for listening to concerns raised in the Senate Committee on Health hearings, which included testimonies from ordinary citizens voicing the need to retain these funds within PhilHealth to address critical health issues.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa Health!” Go reiterated, emphasizing that these funds are essential for meeting the medical needs of Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged.
While appreciative of the TRO, Go stressed that this is merely a step in his ongoing efforts to ensure that PhilHealth fully delivers on its commitments to Filipinos. “Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating krusada para sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi ko titigilan ang PhilHealth hanggang tuparin nila ang lahat ng kanilang pangako,” he said.
“Kasama na rito ang pagtaas ng kanilang case rates; pagpapalawak ng benefit packages; pagbaba ng premium contribution; pagkakaloob ng emergency at preventive care; pagbibigay ng dental at visual care, libreng gamot, assistive devices at iba pang pangangailangang pangkalusugan sa mahihirap; pagsasaayos ng mga outdated na polisiya nila bukod pa sa 24-hour confinement rule at single period of confinement policy na kanilang nirepaso kamakailan lamang, at marami pang iba!,” added Go.
The senator remains firm in his resolve to see health funds used accordingly, pointing to the needs of Filipinos who, due to financial constraints, cannot afford medical care.
“Habang may mga mahihirap na Pilipinong naghihingalo dahil walang pambayad sa ospital, habang may mga kababayan nating natatakot magpatingin sa doktor dahil takot sa bayarin, habang may mga kapwa nating Pilipinong namamatay na lang sa sakit dahil sa kahirapan, patuloy kong lalabanan ang mga anti-poor policies at lalo kong isusulong ang mga programa at batas na magtataguyod sa kalusugan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he stated.
Go’s persistent advocacy has already led PhilHealth to abandon restrictive rules, including the Single Period of Confinement rule and the 24-hour confinement policy, both of which he believes inhibited Filipinos’ access to health benefits. Moving forward, he intends to raise these issues in Senate hearings scheduled for November, pushing for additional reforms to ensure PhilHealth can fully utilize its funds to improve healthcare access across the country.
The TRO, Go added, strengthens his commitment to fight for every Filipino’s right to health, ensuring that no Filipino is left without access to essential healthcare. He views the high court’s decision as a boost to this advocacy.
