Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito described the Supreme Court’s decision to return ₱60 billion in excess reserve funds to PhilHealth as a “welcome correction.”
The SC also barred the transfer of the remaining ₱29.9 billion fund balance to the National Treasury.
“From the very beginning, we made it clear that these funds belong to PhilHealth. Dapat hindi ito tinawag na ‘excess funds’ lalo na’t kulang pa rin ang pondo para sa kalusugan. Madami pa rin sa ating kababayan ang nabibigatan sa gastusing medikal o pagpapa-ospital,” Ejercito said, emphasizing the need to prioritize healthcare funding.
He added, “Kinikilala natin ang ating health advocates, na naging boses at naka-dayologo natin sa usaping ito. Kailangan nating magsama-sama para makamit ang ating layunin na mas mapabuti ang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bansa.”
The Supreme Court ruled that the government had no legal basis to claim PhilHealth’s funds, calling the previous transfer unconstitutional. Ejercito noted that the decision will support the expansion of PhilHealth’s role in covering medical expenses.
“Marami pa tayong kailangang ipanalong mga laban para gawing mas accessible at maka-Pilipino ang ating health care system. Sa oras ng pangangailangan, dapat maging malinaw at matibay ang ating paninindigan na ang tulong ay abot-kamay lamang at hindi nasa diskresyon ng mga pulitiko,” he added, stressing the importance of accessible healthcare for all Filipinos.