Lawyer Chel Diokno has urged the government to retain PhilHealth’s unspent PHP 89.9 billion funds and use them to enhance healthcare services for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and indigent Filipinos.
Diokno’s call comes as the government prepares to transfer a third tranche of these funds to the national treasury in November, a move that is being challenged in the Supreme Court.
“While it’s important to fund various government projects, this shouldn’t come at the cost of weakening PhilHealth’s ability to meet the needs of its contributors,” Diokno said.
The first nominee of Akbayan Partylist emphasized that expanding PhilHealth coverage for vulnerable sectors must be a priority.
The proposal to reallocate PhilHealth funds, led by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, reportedly aims to support social development, agriculture, education, and infrastructure projects.
While acknowledging the importance of these initiatives, Diokno argued that they should not come at the expense of healthcare services, especially given the financial hardships many Filipinos face due to medical expenses.
Opposition to the fund transfer has grown, with six former health secretaries and various medical groups voicing strong objections.
Diokno pointed to the Universal Health Care Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, which state that PhilHealth’s reserve funds should not be transferred to other government agencies.
“These funds must remain dedicated to improving health outcomes and strengthening public healthcare,” he reiterated.
Diokno also stressed that the unspent funds represent a vital opportunity for PhilHealth to reform and expand its services, warning that redirecting the money would weaken the agency’s ability to provide essential health coverage for all Filipinos.
