The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has defended the release of some P83 million worth of benefits to its officials and employees in 2014.

PhilHealth Executive Vice President and chief operating officer Eli Dino Santos said the "subsequent benefits," which include educational assistance and birthday gift benefits, are "aligned with those prescribed under the Salary Standardization Law."

"We maintain, however, that those allowances were given in good faith, above board, not extravagant and most of all, well deserved by the hardworking officers and employees of the state insurer," Santos said.

He issued the statement after the Supreme Court reaffirmed a Commission on Audit ruling disallowing the release of P83.6 million in benefits to PhilHealth officials and employees in its head office and some regional offices in 2014.

The State insurer, he said, acknowledges the decision of the Supreme Court and assured the public that it already stopped the issuance of subject allowance after being flagged by the CoA.

"We wish to inform the public that PhilHealth immediately discontinued the subject allowances after receipt of the Notice of Disallowance from CoA," he said.

While awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court on the Motion for Reconsideration it filed last 20 December, he said PhilHealth will "fully comply with the directive of the Court once issued with finality."

"We assure the public that PhilHealth is prudent in administering its funds, and ensure that meeting our financial obligations, especially the payment of benefit claims, is always our top priority," the statement read.