After being stopped by the Supreme Court from taking PHP89.9 billion in funds of the Philhealth Insurance Corp (PhilHealth), the Marcos administration must put on hold expenditures for the PHP60 billion it already took from the state medical care firm.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez gave this advice to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who, through Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, authorized the transfer of tens of billions of pesos in Philhealth to finance other government expenditures.

This developed as various concerned officials and organizations lauded the SC decision to issue a TRO to prevent further transfer of funds to the National Treasury.

Rodriguez said President Marcos must direct the national treasurer, Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance “to withhold the use of the PHP60 billion” already remitted by Philhealth to the government.

`“Let us respect the Supreme Court. The executive branch should await the final decision on the constitutionality of the directive of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto for the national health insurer to remit a total of P89.9 billion to the treasury,” he said.

Philhealth information revealed that it has turned over P20 billion last May 10, P10 billion on Aug. 21 and P30 billion this month.

Rodriguez said the Supreme Court “was right in protecting the funds of Philhealth members, which should be used only for their benefit and not to finance some hidden projects in the national budget.”

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito commended the SC for protecting Filipinos from being denied medical benefits under the Universal Health Care Act.

“As the author and champion of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, I strongly believe that healthcare funds must be used directly for the benefit of PhilHealth members, which include essentially every Filipino,” he said.

Former Bayan Muna Congressman Neri Colmenares also welcomed the SC decision which upheld the organization’s contention against government’s bid to get Philhealth funds.


Colmenares said Bayan Muna is one of the petitioners for the TRO that halted the transfer of P89.9 billion in unused PhilHealth funds.

"This TRO is a significant victory for the Filipino people, especially for PhilHealth beneficiaries who rely on these funds for their healthcare needs," said Colmenares.

Former Health Undersecretary Dr, Tony Leachon was among the oppositors of the government move to touch excess funds of Philhealth. He lauded the issuance of the TRO by the SC.

“This would ensure that the funds previously transferred to the national treasury are returned to PhilHealth, where they rightfully belong,” Leachon said.

“As we await further legal remedies, the next step would be to secure this status quo order, allowing these vital funds to be used for the healthcare needs of Filipinos as intended under the Universal Health Care Law,” he said.