Go demands accountability on PhilHealth fund transfers
‘Whoever is appointed as PhilHealth’s leader, it is more important for us that the agency fulfills its mandate and implements the reforms promised by its previous leadership.’
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‘Whoever is appointed as PhilHealth’s leader, it is more important for us that the agency fulfills its mandate and implements the reforms promised by its previous leadership.’
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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has once again raised concerns over the transfer of billions of pesos from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury, following the Solicitor General’s recent statement dismissing allegations of wrongdoing.
While the Office of the Solicitor General (SolGen) insists the P16 billion transfer was lawful, Go reiterated that legality does not always align with morality.
“I’m not questioning whether it’s legal or not, but my question is: Is it fair to the Filipino people? What is this fund really for? Isn’t it supposed to be for health services?” Go said.
Amid the debate, Supreme Court Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier raised an even more concerning issue — that PhilHealth may already be financially unstable. Citing a Commission on Audit report, she pointed out that the agency has been operating with reserves far below its actuarial requirements for at least three years.
Since mid-2024, Go has been vocal in his opposition to the redirection of PhilHealth’s idle funds, arguing that they should have remained within the agency to improve healthcare services. He highlighted that over P60 billion has already been transferred and continues to seek clarity on its current status.
“We’ve been asking for a long time: Can this money be returned? Where did the transferred P60 billion go? If it was used, it must have benefited the public, especially in terms of health, because PhilHealth’s funds should be for health!” he stressed.
Senator Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized that PhilHealth was established to ensure accessible healthcare for Filipinos. He warned that diverting its funds — even if lawful — undermines its purpose and sets a dangerous precedent.
“It’s scary to think how easily PhilHealth’s funds can be lost. If this hadn’t been ignored, it wouldn’t have been wiped out,” he lamented.
The senator urged PhilHealth’s new leadership to take a stronger stance in protecting its resources, ensuring that every peso is used for medical assistance, hospital improvements and benefit expansion.
“Dr. Edwin Mercado visited my office this Wednesday, and I reminded him of our shared goal to provide quality and reliable healthcare services and benefits to Filipinos. I asked him to prioritize the welfare of poor patients and reduce their burdens when they get sick,” Go shared.
“Whoever is appointed as PhilHealth’s leader, it is more important for us that the agency fulfills its mandate and implements the reforms promised by its previous leadership,” he added.
Go’s calls for transparency in PhilHealth’s finances began in July 2024, when he first questioned the Department of Finance’s (DoF) decision to transfer “excess” PhilHealth funds to the government. He argued that these were not surplus funds but reserves meant for future claims, expanding case rates, and implementing long-overdue reforms.
“We will continue to monitor how PhilHealth uses its billions of pesos in reserve funds. This isn’t a business; it’s PhilHealth’s job to ensure every Filipino has proper medical insurance, especially the poor. We can’t let it be treated like a bank just sitting on these funds. PhilHealth’s money should be used for health; the funds for healthcare belong to the people and should benefit them,” he said.
His concerns have been echoed by other lawmakers, resulting in multiple Supreme Court petitions against the transfer. In October 2024, the High Court issued a temporary restraining order blocking the transfer of an additional P29.9 billion, highlighting the growing scrutiny on the issue.
Go also pushed for reforms beyond financial concerns, successfully advocating for the removal of the Single Period of Confinement policy and the reevaluation of the 24-hour confinement rule.
“Because of our relentless questioning during committee hearings in recent months, we uncovered many of PhilHealth’s inhumane programs and policies — policies that have been implemented for a long time without being scrutinized!” he said.
Despite the government’s assurances that the transferred funds were used for essential health and social projects, Go remains skeptical, demanding clear evidence of their proper use.
“Promises that it was used correctly are not enough. We need clear details on how and where this money really went. We must keep a close watch on this,” he asserted.
With the issue continuing into 2025, Go emphasized that he will not let it be forgotten, pledging to keep pressing for accountability and transparency.
“If these funds are meant for health, they should be used for health,” he said.
