Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to act conscientiously following reports of a proposed P137.7 million budget for the agency’s 30th anniversary celebration.

“Ilang pasyente po ang makikinabang dito? Ilang pasyente po ang naghihingalo ang matutulungan dito? Ilang buhay po ang masasalba rito,” Go asked during a Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing, where PhilHealth confirmed the proposed amount.

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. clarified that the proposal came from the PhilHealth Anniversary Committee and had not yet been approved by the PhilHealth Board.

“Kung hindi naging controversial ang PhilHealth, wala. Relax-relax lang kayo. Nagplano pa kayong mag-party. Gagastos ng mahigit isandaang milyon. Kawawa naman ‘yung Pilipino. Ma-konsensiya naman kayo,” Go said.

The senator, often referred to as “Mr. Malasakit” for his advocacy for the underprivileged, criticized PhilHealth for its lapses in fund management. He emphasized that the poor and vulnerable Filipinos would bear the brunt of the agency’s inefficiencies.

“Magmalasakit naman kayo. Ipakita at ipadama n’yo naman sa taumbayan na kayo ay para sa kanila, na kapakanan nila ang inyong inuuna at hindi ang pansariling interes,” Go said.

The proposed budget included P7.9 million for umbrella tokens and giveaways, P18.3 million for two gala nights, and P32.7 million for a sports fest, among other expenses.

The issue comes amid public criticism over PhilHealth’s financial challenges, including a lack of government subsidy, raising concerns about the agency’s ability to sustain its operations in 2025.