Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, Aug 10, 2024 (AFP) – A Philippine lawmaker on Saturday called for a congressional inquiry into the transfer of P89.9 billion pesos ($1.6 billion) from the state health insurer to the national treasury, claiming it violates the Universal Health Care Act.
Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to investigate the fund transfer from Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the government coffers.
Rodriguez argued that the law mandates excess PhilHealth funds be used to increase health care benefits and reduce premiums for its over 104 million members.
“It is clear that Department of Finance Circular 003-2024 authorizing the transfer of PhilHealth’s 89.9 billion pesos to the treasury is violative of the Universal Health Care Act,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
The lawmaker, a former law dean, cited a Supreme Court ruling that provisions in appropriations acts cannot be used to repeal or amend other laws.
Rodriguez also claimed the transfer contravened laws allocating portions of tobacco and sweetened beverage taxes to PhilHealth for member benefits.
The Mindanao representative urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order the return of the funds to PhilHealth.
Several health care advocates have challenged the transfer before the Supreme Court.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who chairs the PhilHealth board, has faced criticism for failing to protect the agency’s funds.
