Diokno said that government should instead use the money to expand PhilHealth coverage for the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and of poor Filipinos.

Philhealth

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, first nominee of Akbayan Party List, urged the government to stop the transfer of P89.9 billion in unused funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the Bureau of the Treasury, saying these could be used to improve health services of vulnerable sectors.</p><p>This comes after various petitions were filed before the Supreme Court against the transfer to BTr and the eventual reallocation of the money. Two tranches have already been transferred, while the last is scheduled in November.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/9/27/labor-group-asks-sc-to-stop-transfer-of-philhealth-funds-to-treasury-1156" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Labor group asks SC to stop transfer of PhilHealth funds to treasury</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/2/groups-turn-to-sc-to-block-diversion-of-p89-9b-philhealth-funds-1642">Groups turn to SC to block diversion of P89.9B PhilHealth funds</a></div><p>&quot;Bagama&#x27;t mahalagang pondohan ang iba&#x27;t ibang proyekto ng pamahalaan, hindi ito dapat gawin sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahina sa kapasidad ng PhilHealth na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga contributors nito,&quot; Diokno stressed.</p><p>(Althought is it important to fund various government projects, this should not be done in a way that will lower PhilHealth&#x27;s capacity to meet its contributors&#x27; needs)</p><p>He said that government should instead use the money to expand PhilHealth coverage for the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and of poor Filipinos.</p><p>Retired Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, among the petitioners against the transfer, has argued that it violates the 1987 Constitution, which holds that no law shall be passed authorizing the transfer of appropriations — funding set by law.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/10/16/petition-filed-to-block-transfer-of-unused-philhealth-funds-to-treasury-1823">Petition filed to block transfer of unused PhilHealth funds to treasury</a></div><p>Diokno also said that while he understands Finance Secretary Ralph Recto&#x27;s objective to further support the other crucial sectors of the country through the excess funds, the cost should not be a potential &quot;weakening&quot; of Philhealth&#x27;s capacity to give adequate services and provide better health coverage for Filipinos.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iG6Gc7RZ9Dk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Diokno said that government should instead use the money to expand PhilHealth coverage for the needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and of poor Filipinos.</p>

Chel Diokno: Use 'excess' PhilHealth funds to improve coverage for seniors, PWDs | ABS-CBN

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Chel Diokno: Use 'excess' PhilHealth funds to improve coverage for seniors, PWDs

Chel Diokno: Use 'excess' PhilHealth funds to improve coverage for seniors, PWDs

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 22, 2024 04:54 PM PHT

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Chel Diokno

PhilHealth

National Treasury

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