Senator Christopher “Bong” Go raised serious questions on the fate of billions in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing on the proposed 2026 national budget.
Go’s intervention focused on ensuring that the health sector, particularly PhilHealth, does not suffer from budgetary shortfalls given the pending Supreme Court decision on the alleged unconstitutional transfer of excess funds to the national treasury. He also underscored the importance of strict adherence to laws that allocate sin tax revenues for health programs.
Addressing Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Go inquired about contingency plans should the Supreme Court order the return of the PhP60 billion PhilHealth budget that had been diverted to the national treasury last year.
“May contingency plan na ho ba ang administration kung sakaling ipabalik ng Supreme Court ang P60-B budget ng PhilHealth na ibinalik sa national treasury? Alam n’yo naman po last year yung P89.9-B po’y kinuha ng treasury at gagamitin po sa ibang priority programs ng gobyerno. Salamat sa Supreme Court nag-TRO sila sa natitirang P29.9-B. Subalit yung P60-B ay nakuha na po ng national treasury at kasalukuyan po itong dinidinig ng Supreme Court. Ano ho ba ang plano n’yo rito kung sakaling maibalik po, na mag-decide po ang Supreme Court na ipabalik po yung P60-B?” Go asked.
Pangandaman acknowledged that the issue ultimately rests on the decision of the Supreme Court. She pointed out that since the 2026 National Expenditure Program had already been finalized, it would no longer be possible to accommodate any adjustments for that fiscal year.
Instead, she explained that the matter could be considered in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the DBCC team, and if necessary, incorporated into the 2027 budget. She added that unless Congress files a supplemental budget, the allocation could only be revisited for inclusion in the following year’s spending plan.
Go pressed further, asking, “So hindi na po sa 2026?” Pangandaman explained that it would no longer be possible since the 2026 National Expenditure Program already had a cap and designated allocations, unless Congress files a supplemental budget.
Go emphasized that if restored, the funds should remain with PhilHealth, saying, “So magagamit po ito sa health pa rin if ever?” Pangandaman confirmed that the amount can indeed be allocated as an additional subsidy for the agency.
The senator then reflected on his long-standing legislative oversight work on PhilHealth, pointing out that lapses in timely reforms had created excess funds which the DOF later swept into the treasury.
“Kaya nga po nagkaroon na po ako ng 15 hearings sa Senado tungkol sa Health Emergency Allowances at tungkol sa PhilHealth. Wala naman sanang excess funds ang PhilHealth kung yung mga repormang ginawa nila ay hindi noong Disyembre ng 2024. Kung ginawa nila yung mga reporma noong 2024, January pa lang wala silang excess funds na wawalisin ang DOF. Kaya nga sabi ko, ‘Wag tayong tumigil, tingnan po yung mga polisiya nila, na marami po silang polisiya na medyo luma na po,” Go stressed.
He cited the outdated Single Period of Confinement Policy as one such problematic measure.
“Halimbawa na lang po yung Single Period of Confinement Policy, nagtitipid sila sa mga pasyente. E mayroon silang polisiya noon na within a number of days na bawal kang i-cover muli ‘pag nagkasakit ka ng pneumonia. E kalokohan naman ‘yon. Mapipigilan mo bang magkasakit?” the senator said.
Go lamented that PhilHealth reforms came too late, allowing billions to be used outside the health sector. “Ang sabi ko nga, kung nagawa nila sa isang araw noong December 2024 yung pag-i-increase ng case rates, pag-e-expand ng benefit packages sana ginawa nila noong January, wala sana silang excess funds na wawalisin ng DOF. Ngayon ang problema nagamit n’yo na po mula sa national treasury. At ilang buhay po kaya ang pwedeng ma-save doon sa pondong ginamit po sa ibang prayoridad na dapat po’y para sa health,” he declared.
For 2026, a subsidy of PhP53.2 billion is being proposed for PhilHealth. Go reminded budget officials that this funding must adhere to the earmarking provisions of existing laws.
“For next year, P53.2-B is proposed as subsidy to PhilHealth. Republic Act No. 11346 provides for earmarking of the revenues collected from the excise tax on tobacco and sweetened beverages. Republic Act No. 11467 provides for the earmarking of excise tax on alcohol and vapor products. Revenues shall be allocated and used exclusively for PhilHealth for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act for medical assistance and for health facilities enhancement program and attainment of sustainable development goals,” Go explained.
He then asked directly whether this earmarking was strictly observed. “May I ask the DOF and DBM kung nasunod ho ba itong earmarking para sa 2026. Magkano ho ba ang sin tax na nakolekta sa 2024? Magkano po ang mapupunta sa PhilHealth? At hindi na po maulit na ma-zero po ang budget ng PhilHealth for 2026,” he inquired.
The senator reiterated that PhilHealth’s mandate must be clear: funds should serve the Filipino people’s health needs, not be treated as surplus for government spending elsewhere.
“Tandaan natin, ang PhilHealth po ay para sa health. Klaro naman po, health para sa bawat Pilipino. Hindi po negosyo ang PhilHealth na kailangan palaguin. Dapat po ito’y gamitin sa mga pasyente. Marami pong mga Pilipino ngayon ang naghihingalo, takot magpa-ospital dahil po sa kahirapan. Dapat may masasandalan sila sa oras na magkasakit,” he underscored.