The party-list group Akbayan has urged the government to return part of the P89.9 billion in unspent PhilHealth funds transferred to the national treasury, saying the money should be used to improve healthcare services for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and indigent Filipinos.
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Akbayan’s first nominee, emphasized that diverting these funds weakens PhilHealth’s ability to serve its contributors.
Diokno cited the Universal Health Care Act, arguing that PhilHealth’s reserve funds are meant solely for public health improvement.
The Supreme Court recently allowed labor groups to intervene in a petition questioning the legality of the fund transfer, which they argue undermines PhilHealth’s financial stability.
The court also granted similar petitions from Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III and Bayan Muna’s Neri Colmenares.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 23, 2024
