Kamanggagawa Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando delivered a scathing criticism of former Finance Secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto after the Supreme Court ruled that the transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury was illegal.
San Fernando accused Recto of forcing the collection despite its source being workers’ contributions.
“O ano ka ngayon, Ralph Recto? Tigas kasi ng mukha mo eh. Pinagpipilitan mo pa na kunin yung pondo ng PhilHealth na galing sa mga kinakaltas sa sahod ng mga manggagawa, e di pahiya ka ngayon. Problema kasi sa’yo hayok na hayok ka sa pera ng mga manggagawa at ordinaryong Pilipino,” he said.
He stressed that the Universal Health Care Act mandates that any PhilHealth surplus should reduce workers’ premium deductions and expand benefits.
“Malinaw na nakasulat sa Universal Health Care Act na kung ano man yung sosobrang pondo sa PhilHealth ay dapat mangahulugan ng pagpapababa ng premium… at para mapalawak yung mga benefits,” he added.
San Fernando, who earlier joined labor groups in a Supreme Court intervention plea, reiterated that claims of excess PhilHealth funds were implausible given the high demand for health services and the agency’s outstanding debts.
“Imposibleng magkaroon ng sobrang pondo… So paano magkakaroon ng sobrang pondo ang PhilHealth?” he asked.
He insisted that PhilHealth funds must exclusively support healthcare, not serve as an investment pool.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay dapat mapunta sa mga serbisyong pangkalusugan… Ang kontribusyon ng mga manggagawa at ordinaryong Pilipino ay hindi pang-invest o pang-ipon ng gobyerno,” he said.
If surpluses ever occur, he added, they should be used to reduce monthly salary deductions and broaden patient benefits.