SC sets 2025 oral arguments on PhilHealth fund transfer

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) will conduct oral arguments on Jan. 14, 2025 on consolidated petitions questioning the transfer of “excess” funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and other government-owned and controlled corporations to the national treasury.

Without a court restraining order, this means the PhilHealth fund transfer can be completed within this year.

The first tranche of P20 billion was transferred last May 10, and a second tranche of P10 billion on Aug. 21. A third tranche of P30 billion is scheduled on Oct. 16 and the final P29.9 billion in November.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and the Philippine Medical Association have filed a petition challenging the diversion of P89.9 billion in PhilHealth funds to unprogrammed appropriations or the congressional pork barrel in the 2024 budget.

The petitioners argued that the transfer was unconstitutional and threatens the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and other health programs. It also violated provisions of the UHC law, they argued.

The militant group Bayan Muna filed a similar petition.

They asked the SC to declare as void President Marcos’ certification of the 2024 budget as urgent, saying it lacked a legitimate basis and violated the Constitution’s requirement for a full legislative process unless a public emergency or calamity justifies expedited approval.