SC issues TRO vs transfer of PhilHealth funds to National Treasury

The PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office in Caloocan City

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the further transfer of the P29.90 billion remaining Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) excess funds to the National Treasury.

According to SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting, the SC issued the TRO upon granting the prayers of three petitions from 1Sambayan, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, and Bayan Muna.

“The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order to enjoin the further transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury,” Ting said in a press conference, adding that the TRO is effective immediately.

Asked if this means the PhilHealth funds already transferred will be returned to the agency, Ting responded in the negative.

“That was not the subject of the TRO,” she explained.

“The TRO is just really to prevent the transfer of more funds from PhilHealth to the National Treasury,” she added.

Asked why the SC granted the prayer for the TRO, Ting said it was likely due to the “allegations in the pleadings and the comments.”

Regarding 1Sambayan’s petition, the SC also ordered the respondents to file their comments on the petition and application for TRO, and a writ of preliminary injunction within the non-extendable period of 10 days from notice.

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 at P30 billion was also transferred in October, while the P29.90-billion remaining funds were supposed to be transferred in November.

READ: SC asked to order return of PhilHealth funds transferred to treasury