Ejercito warns against ‘empty rhetoric’
Ejercito urged Marcos to expand PhilHealth benefits so the state insurer could shoulder 60 percent to 70 percent of hospital bills.
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Ejercito urged Marcos to expand PhilHealth benefits so the state insurer could shoulder 60 percent to 70 percent of hospital bills.
Senator JV Ejercito on Sunday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to use his fifth State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to announce concrete reforms instead of making new promises, saying Filipinos expect decisive action as the administration enters its final two years.
“There is no more time for empty rhetoric. In the final two years of his presidency, I hope his SoNA will not be filled with promises. The public is tired of pledges that often go unfulfilled,” Ejercito said.
Foremost on the senator’s wish list is a crackdown on corruption in flood control projects, saying the controversy has eroded public confidence in government infrastructure spending.
“The public has developed trust issues over infrastructure projects that are supposed to drive economic growth. What are we waiting for? Do we want people to bring floodwaters from their communities all the way to Malacañang?” he said.
“Those who squandered and pocketed funds intended for flood control projects must be held accountable and sent to jail.”
Ejercito also pushed for Senate Bill 2, or the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development Bill, which seeks to institutionalize a long-term framework for infrastructure planning and implementation, particularly for flood control and transport projects.
SEA laggard
He said corruption should not derail the country’s infrastructure agenda, stressing that the Philippines continues to lag behind its Southeast Asian neighbors because of inadequate infrastructure.
“What we need is strong political will and a long-term approach to solving the problem, not piecemeal engineering solutions that change with every administration,” he said.
On healthcare, Ejercito urged Marcos to expand PhilHealth benefits so the state insurer could shoulder 60 percent to 70 percent of hospital bills.
“It would be a waste if the Universal Health Care Act we passed provides only minimal assistance to our people. It would be better if the government increases the amount it covers so Filipinos will face less financial burden when they get sick,” said Ejercito, principal author and sponsor of the Universal Health Care Act.
He likewise renewed his call for the automatic suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products during periods of extraordinary increases in global oil prices, saying higher fuel costs drive up transport fares, farm expenses and food prices while eroding household purchasing power.
“Our hope is that the President will also announce concrete measures to ease the high cost of living. We need a comprehensive program to bring down the cost of electricity, transportation, healthcare and food — basic household expenses that directly affect every Filipino family and our economy’s ability to grow,” he said.
