MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he was still studying the 5 percent hike on PhilHealth premium contributions.

"It’s still under study but we’ll come to a conclusion very, very soon," he said in a chance interview. 

Marcos also said they were still conducting "a very straightforward cause-benefit analysis" to determine whether the recent hike benefits PhilHealth members.

"So, kung may benepisyo naman, if we can justify the increase, then we’ll do it. But if not, we won’t. Ganoon lang kasimple ‘yun,” Marcos said.

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. last week said the Office of the President said in a letter that it had "no objection" to the increase in premium contributions to 5 percent from 4 percent of a worker's monthly salary. 

But Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Marcos was still reviewing the increase implemented in January. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has advocated for the suspension of the premium hike, saying that PhilHealth has "enough money" to continue giving benefits.

PhilHealth contribution hike still under review: Malacañang

PhilHealth contribution hike still under review: Malacañang

Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Healthcare Law mandated the annual increase in PhilHealth contributions beginning in 2020. 

This was implemented until 2022 which saw premiums grow to 4 percent. 

The Office of the President however suspended another premium hike for 2023, citing "socioeconomic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The hike resumed in January 2024, pegged at 5 percent.