Civil society groups are pressing the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the transfer of PhilHealth funds to state coffers, saying President Marcos’ order to return ₱60 billion is insufficient.
Petitioners, including former senator Aquilino Pimentel III and health advocate Minguita Padilla, argued the diversion was unconstitutional and violated the Universal Health Care Law.
They stressed that PhilHealth funds are meant to boost benefits and lower premiums, not to cover unrelated government projects.
The Department of Finance earlier said the funds were used for health worker allowances, facility upgrades, and foreign-assisted projects during the pandemic.
Petitioners warned that similar diversions, including the “zeroing” of PhilHealth’s 2025 budget, show a pattern of unconstitutional fund raids.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 23, 2025
