On Friday, 5 December, the Supreme Court announced that it had unanimously ordered the return of P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (PhilHealth), which had earlier been transferred to the National Treasury. The ruling also permanently prohibits the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion fund balance.

This is not just a win for all Filipinos, but justice for everyone who was deprived of quality medical services.

As the former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, we never stopped in our quest to restore funding to the health sector. We pressed PhilHealth to remain focused on its core mission of providing universal access to healthcare for Filipinos.  

Our appeal began in mid-2024, when we first criticized the transfer of PhilHealth excess funds to the National Treasury — months before the first petition was filed with the Supreme Court. The move jeopardized vital services for Filipinos’ health. We emphasized then that the transfer is morally unacceptable  —  and now the Supreme Court has ruled that it is legally wrong!

Since then, PhilHealth has committed to implementing long-overdue reforms in response to sustained pressure from advocates, as reflected in many health committee hearings we presided over. A breakthrough was the abolition of the Single Period of Confinement policy, a measure long criticized for its inflexibility. We then pushed for the repeal of the anti-poor 24-hour confinement rule, which barred patients from receiving PhilHealth benefits unless they were confined for at least a day. 

In another landmark shift, PhilHealth removed the 45-day annual limit on hospitalizations for members and their dependents, addressing long-standing inequities in coverage for chronic or life-threatening conditions.

And now, we are genuinely grateful to the High Court for hearing the pleas of the people and giving voice to the tireless and lengthy hearings we conducted during my tenure as the chairperson of the Senate Health Committee.

But even with this victory, we must not stop asking: Where did the P60 billion in PhilHealth excess funds go? The return of the money should not end our pursuit of accountability.

Our health reforms crusade does not end here. Together with my fellow public servants, we will ensure that the return of PhilHealth funds is properly and fully implemented to strengthen the country’s healthcare system genuinely.

Ang PhilHealth ay para sa health ng Pilipino!

Meanwhile, we spent the first day of December in Tondo, Manila, where we personally aided 246 fire victims from Barangays 91, 92 and 93. On 2 December , we were invited as Guest of Honor and Speaker in the 61st Annual Convention of the Philippines Association of Medical Technologists Inc. in Manila as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health. 

On 5 December, we personally extended our support to the cooperatives under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) North and South Luzon Clusters, recognizing their vital role in strengthening local livelihoods and community-based enterprises. We also attended the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines’ 103rd Year-End National Assembly, which emphasized unity, leadership and transparent governance across all provinces.

The previous week, our Malasakit Team also went to various communities and assisted our various kababayans as they gave additional aid to fire victims in Cuenca, Agoncillo, Tuy and Mataas na Kahoy in Batangas and in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. These beneficiaries also received assistance from the national government to procure materials to rebuild their homes. Furthermore, fire victims in Barangay Malinao, Pasig City, also received help from the Malasakit Team.

In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, more Typhoon Tino victims received aid from the Malasakit Team in coordination with the local government. Additionally, we aided displaced workers in Maigo, Lanao del Norte; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; and Calinog, Iloilo.

Our Malasakit Team likewise attended the blessing and turnover ceremony of the Super Health Center in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

We also aided the TESDA scholars from Winzelle International College Inc. and Advancetech International Manpower Training Center in Zamboanga City. The Malasakit Team also attended the CDA Awarding in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Supreme Court ruling is testament that irregularities can be stopped if the whole nation works together. Let us continue the fight against all forms of corruption like the flood control and ghost project scandal. I am one with the Filipino people in our crusade to hold accountable those responsible for all this mess.

As Mr. Malasakit, I will continue in serving the Filipino people dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.