Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero believes that PhilHealth receiving zero subsidies for 2025 will not affect its beneficiaries, citing its P600 billion reserve fund.
In an exclusive interview during Dos Por Dos on Thursday, Escudero firmly stated that PhilHealth does not require a subsidy because it already has a substantial budget that remains largely unused.
"Noong tinalakay ang budget, P600 billion na ulit yung pondo ng PhilHealth. Layunin sana ng panukalang budget na dagdagan pa 'yon ng P74 billion. Mahigit 50 billion para sa pagbabayad ng premium sa mga walang trabaho at 20 plus million para sa dagdag benepisyo," said the Senator.
"Ba't namin bibigyan pa uli ng dagdag. Sa aking pananaw kung sobra sobra naman yung pondo nila at hindi nila ginagastos para sa miyembro," he added.
Escudero emphasized that the decision serves as a wake-up call for PhilHealth to fulfill its mandate instead of allowing funds to sit idle, resulting in significant financial losses for the government. He pointed out that PhilHealth's charter allows it to use its budget for universal health coverage.
"Wala talaga [magiging epekto] dahil P600 bilyon ang hawak nila ngayon. Halimbawa, kapag hindi nila ginamit yan sa taon ito, pag 4 percent ng P600 billion ay P24 billion, nawawalan ng halaga yung 24 bilyon dahil inuupuan lang nila," he stressed.
"Ito'y kumbaga pagpapaalala paggising sa aknila na 'hoy, gawin niyo naman ang trabaho ninyo', malaking pera ang nasasayang sa hindi niyo paggalaw—sa hindi niyo pagbigay ng benepisyo , sa hindi niyo pagbayad sa mga ospital na naniningil sa inyo," he added.
The senator also mentioned that PhilHealth has an outstanding ₱450 million debt to Sorsogon Provincial Hospital due to issues such as returned claims and incomplete documentation. This is just one example among the many public and private hospitals to which PhilHealth owes money.
On the other hand, Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed alarm over the bicameral conference committee’s decision, stating that denying PhilHealth support to pay the premium contributions of the most vulnerable Filipinos undermines their right to health.
"This zero subsidy is unfair, illegal, and potentially unconstitutional. How about Filipinos who cannot pay their premium contributions? This is a major blow to our goal of having universal healthcare in the country," Hontiveros said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The senator argued that the government is obligated to cover the "premiums" of indirect contributors, including the poor, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
"Even though PhilHealth supposedly has excess or reserve funds, laws say it must be funded. It is ironic that PhilHealth gets zero subsidy on the eve of International Universal Health Coverage Day, especially when the UN makes it clear that health is the government’s responsibility," she added.
The bicameral conference committee ratified the 2025 national budget at 10 a.m. last night, as it also reviewed local bills for their third reading next week.
