PhilHealth vows to abide by TRO vs transfer of excess funds

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday committed to “abide” by the Supreme Court’s (SC) temporary restraining order (TRO) against the transfer of its P29.90 billion remaining excess funds to the national treasury.

READ: SC issues TRO vs transfer of PhilHealth funds to National Treasury

“We fully respect and will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue,” PhilHealth said shortly after the High Court issued the TRO.

Under the Department of Finance’s Circular 003-2024 of PhilHealth’s P89.90 billion excess funds, P20 billion was transferred to the national treasury on May 10, followed by P10 billion on Aug. 21.

The third tranche of P30 billion was also transferred in October, while the remaining funds were supposed to be transferred by November.

PhilHealth then vowed that it will “remain focused” on providing Filipinos financial protection against health risks “through better and responsive benefit packages” and “availment policies that ensure greater access to healthcare services.”

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, for his part, said that he “respects” the TRO issued by the SC.

“It appears that the TRO is limited to PhilHealth funds only. We will respect the TRO,” said Guevarra.

It was the Office of the Solicitor General who previously asked the SC to dismiss the petition challenging the transfer of PhilHealth excess funds, arguing that the transfer was legal and did not violate the people’s right to health.

READ: OSG counters SC petition vs PhilHealth fund transfer

Petitioners welcome TRO

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna — one of the petitioners who filed a motion seeking the SC to stop the transfer of PhilHealth excess funds immediately — welcomed the issuance of the TRO.

READ: SC urged to issue TRO ahead of PhilHealth case oral arguments

“This TRO is a significant victory for the Filipino people, especially for PhilHealth beneficiaries who rely on these funds for their healthcare needs,” Bayan Muna co-petitioner Neri Colmenares said in a statement.

“The transfer of these funds would have jeopardized the benefits of countless Filipinos relying on PhilHealth for essential health services. This decision prevents a grave injustice from occurring,” he added.

He then reiterated that letting the transfer continue would violate the 1987 Constitution and “put at risk the financial security of depositors and the health” of the public.

Colmenares then called for the return of the funds already transferred to the national treasury and not yet spent on unprogrammed funds projects.