SC to resume hearings on PhilHealth fund transfer
The first tranche of PhilHealth’s surplus funds, amounting to P20 billion, was released on 10 May, followed by the second transfer of P10 billion on 21 August. The third tranche, P30 billion, was transferred to the national treasury on 16 October
The health insurance provider has issued a statement clarifying allegations made on social media.
The oral arguments on the consolidated petitions challenging the legality of the transfer of surplus funds from government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), including the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), to the national treasury will resume.
In a media advisory, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said the oral arguments will resume on 2 April at 2 p.m.; 3 April at 10 a.m.; and, if necessary, 4 April at 10 a.m., at the SC summer session in Baguio City.
Last October, the SC issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the transfer of the final tranche of the funds.
The first tranche of PhilHealth’s surplus funds, amounting to P20 billion, was released on 10 May, followed by the second transfer of P10 billion on 21 August. The third tranche, P30 billion, was transferred to the national treasury on 16 October.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) filed the first petition to block the transfer of P89.9 billion in surplus PhilHealth funds to the national treasury.
They argued that the transfer violated the Constitution and jeopardized the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and other healthcare initiatives.
Bayan Muna and the 1Sambayan coalition were the other petitioners in the fund transfer.