Before beginning deliberations for the 2026 national budget, a lawmaker wants to identify the individuals responsible for the ₱74 billion Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) subsidy realignment and cuts to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) budget.
Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Ronaldo “Ronnie” V. Puno said that when the House of Representatives passed their version of the budget to the Senate, they had allotted funds for PhilHealth, DepEd held a substantial share, and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget was reduced.
“Ito ang hindi naaalala ng tao: ang House, gumawa ng panukalang budget, okay? Nag-approve ang House of Representatives ng budget. Sa budget na iyon … hindi nawala ‘yung PhilHealth budget—intact sa version ng House. Hindi nabawasan ‘yung Department of Education budget—intact, in fact, mataas. Ang nabawasan, dito sa House, ‘yung Public Works budget … ‘Yan ang pinadala sa Senado,” Puno explained in a press conference on Tuesday, August 12.
However, when the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2025 reached the Senate, the PhilHealth trust fund had been completely eliminated, DepEd’s allocation was diminished, and the DPWH was to receive an increase in funding.
Puno said that he and his party, the National Unity Party, only want to know who was involved and how it was done, as the blame for this revision was being pinned on the House.
“Ang pagdagdag ng DPWH budget ay nanggaling sa pagbawas ng DepEd at ‘yung pagtanggal ng trust fund … Sa madaling sabi, may nakinabang doon,” he said.
“Totoo ba ‘yung sinasabi ni Senator (Vicente “Tito”) Sotto na napunta lahat ‘yan sa Senado at sa liderato ng Senado? Gusto rin namin malaman. Kasi ang House ang sinisisi,” he added.
When asked what course of action he was to take once the culprits were named, Puno said that he was simply acting as a representative of his district and that he had no judicial responsibility in taking punitive measures.
“Now I’m sure the Senate has its own processes on how they will discipline their own members—if their members need to be disciplined. Beyond that, there are the normal judicial procedures that can be entered into whenever there is wrongdoing,” he reasoned.
The congressman agreed “100 percent” with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson that the PhilHealth subsidy realignment amended the Sin Tax Law—which should not have been permitted as general laws cannot amend special laws.
