Senator Bong Go renewed his call for all Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to be optimized and used strictly for health services after the state insurer confirmed that the P60 billion “excess funds” transferred to the National Treasury in 2024 has been returned.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa kalusugan ng Pilipino. Dapat maramdaman ito ng mga mahihirap na pasyente, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, at lahat ng Pilipinong umaasa sa PhilHealth,” Go said.
PhilHealth said the returned funds are expected to support efforts to expand and improve health care services for members. The agency also said the amount would be used to enhance benefit packages, strengthen internal systems, and improve service delivery to ensure better access to health care services.
The veteran legislator said the return of the P60 billion should be followed by close monitoring of how the funds will be spent.
The seasoned lawmaker noted that Filipinos were dealt with “double whammy” as PhilHealth was also slapped with zero budget in 2025, after its P60 billion excess funds were transferred back to the National Treasury.
“Hanggang ngayon, maraming pasyente pa rin ang walang pambayad sa ospital. Hindi dapat tipirin ng PhilHealth ang mga Pilipino. Itaas nila ang case rates, palawakin ang benefit packages, mag-isip ng mga programa at polisiya na may pakinabang sa mga pasyente,” the senator urged.
“Dapat maibalik sa taumbayan ang pondo sa pamamagitan ng maayos na serbisyong medikal.”
“Ang importante dito, dapat maibalik sa taumbayan ang pondo sa pamamagitan ng maayos na serbisyong medikal. Tandaan natin, pera ng Pilipino ‘yan,” he added.
The controversial issue on excess funds traces back to the 2024 transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury. The Department of Finance (DOF) issued Circular No. 003-2024 directing the transfer of P89.9 billion from PhilHealth to the National Treasury, representing fund balance or excess reserve funds. PhilHealth remitted P60 billion in three tranches before the Supreme Court stopped the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion through a temporary restraining order.
Go, then Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, called the transfer “immoral and unacceptable”.
The Supreme Court later unanimously ordered the return of the P60 billion to PhilHealth and permanently prohibited the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion. It also declared void Special Provision 1(d) of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and DOF Circular No. 003-2024 after finding grave abuse of discretion.
The High Court also said that under Section 11 of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, or Republic Act No. 11223, unused reserve funds exceeding the ceiling must be used to increase benefits under the National Health Insurance Program and reduce members’ contributions. It further noted that no portion of PhilHealth reserve funds or their income may be transferred to the national government or its agencies.
For having excess funds in 2024, PhilHealth was given zero subsidy the following fiscal year. A P74.431 billion allocation under the National Expenditure Program was reduced in the Senate version and eventually removed entirely after bicameral deliberations. For this reason, he refused to sign the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the proposed 2025 national budget.
Go said the return of the P60 billion should lead to visible improvements in benefit packages, case rates, consultations, medicines, dialysis support, and other services covered by PhilHealth.
“Hindi negosyo ang PhilHealth.”
“Kung bumalik na ang pera, dapat bumalik din ito sa serbisyo. Dapat gamitin para mas mapababa ang gastos ng pasyente at mas mapabilis ang tulong sa mga miyembro,” he pointed out. “Hindi negosyo ang PhilHealth. Dapat may masasandalan ang Pilipino kapag nagkasakit.”
Go has also repeatedly pressed PhilHealth to fulfill its obligations under the UHC Act, including increasing case rates, expanding benefit packages, improving emergency and outpatient benefits, addressing outdated policies, and reducing the burden on members.
In previous Senate hearings, he pushed PhilHealth to act on reforms following the controversy over the fund transfer.
“Ang hiling natin sa PhilHealth, gamitin ninyo ang pondo para sa Pilipino. Gawing mas mabilis, mas maayos, at mas ramdam ang serbisyo,” Go concluded.
