Ejercito cites healthcare progress, urges fund accountability

Senator JV Ejercito highlighted improvements in the country’s healthcare system, citing the progress of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, which he has closely monitored since its passage.

In an interview with DZRH, Ejercito said that around P250 billion in government funds will be realigned, with the majority going to infrastructure projects under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and a significant portion directed to medical assistance programs and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Ang P250 billion, dahil iyan ay ire-realign, majority pa rin niyan ay ilagay natin sa infrastructure sa DOTr. Ang big portion ay ilagay sa medical assistance and PhilHealth,” Ejercito said. (“The P250 billion, since it will be realigned, the majority will still go to DOTr infrastructure, and a big portion will go to medical assistance and PhilHealth.”)

The senator expressed confidence that Filipinos are now better supported under the healthcare system, noting that even minor health concerns—such as flu-like symptoms—should be manageable through government coverage. He said this demonstrates the government’s growing capacity to provide accessible healthcare for all.

Ejercito also addressed concerns regarding the P60 billion that has yet to be returned to PhilHealth, assuring the public that the issue will be raised during ongoing budget hearings.

“Tutal budget hearings naman kami, itatanong natin sa Department of Finance at sa National Treasury dahil may utos na ibalik na iyan,” he said. (“Since we are in budget hearings, we will ask the Department of Finance and the National Treasury because there is an order for it to be returned.”)

The senator further emphasized the need to identify and hold accountable those responsible for what he described as one of the largest corruption schemes in government, warning that attention should not be diverted from the real perpetrators.

“Ang modus, kailangan matunton para hindi na maulit in aid of legislation itong pinakamalaking scam o corruption scheme sa gobyerno. Ang worry ko, ang most guilty ay tila nawawala ang focus sa kanila dahil may ibang personalidad na sikat na nababanggit,” he added. (“The scheme must be traced to prevent it from happening again in aid of legislation, as this is the largest scam or corruption scheme in government. My concern is that the most guilty seem to lose focus because other prominent personalities are being mentioned.”)

Ejercito reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in government transactions, stressing that public funds must benefit Filipinos through improved healthcare and infrastructure services.