Legalidad ng paglilipat ng PhilHealth ng pondo sa National Treasury, tinalakay sa Korte Suprema

2 days ago

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Transcript

00:00The Supreme Court denied the legality of the appeal of PhilHealth when it analyzed their excess funds in the National Treasury.

00:07According to some groups, PhilHealth's funds are not excess and if it's true, it's not enough for the needs of the members.

00:14Here are the first news on the five referendums.

00:16PhilHealth funds transfer illegal, unjust, illegal.

00:21Before the oral arguments, different groups made a fuss in the Supreme Court.

00:28All of them made a fuss.

00:30It was declared illegal for PhilHealth to transfer more than P10 billion in unused funds

00:37back to the National Treasury to be used for other government projects.

00:42Many of the funds in PhilHealth are benefited by the officials.

00:48Our call is to give direct funding to the public health facilities such as the public health centers, the public hospitals.

00:59We ask the Supreme Court to give the people the funds directly to the people, not to invest in the pockets of politicians.

01:12In the oral arguments, the petitioners laid the arguments as to why the transfer of funds is unconstitutional for them.

01:22In particular, the Department of Finance Circular 003-2024 and a provision in the General Appropriations Act that gave way to this.

01:32PhilHealth's funds are not excess and it's not enough for the needs of the members.

01:41Your Honors, the enumeration under the Constitution is exclusive.

01:44It does not authorize any government official to transfer appropriations.

01:49Moreover, the authority to augment any item in the General Appropriations must be given by law.

01:56PhilHealth's financial statement reveals that it does not have excess funds.

02:02PhilHealth's 2024 first quarter financial statements show the members' equity as being negative $600 billion plus.

02:10This is signed by the highest officials of PhilHealth and expressed admission by PhilHealth that its equity is negative by over $600 billion.

02:19The question provision in the OF Circular is inconsistent, incompatible, and irreconcilable with the Universal Health Care Act and the syntax notes.

02:29UHC's objective is clear, to provide social health insurance and risk protection to all Filipinos.

02:36Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Health Secretary Tedoro Herbosa, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatsalian, and PhilHealth President Emanuele Desmond Jr. responded.

02:47The Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Government Corporate Council

02:54and other respondents of the Office of the President, Senate, and Camera,

02:58the government's gate that, according to the law, has no problem in transferring unused funds.

03:06It was the Executive and Legislative Department's way of creating and implementing a fiscal policy to boost economic growth

03:17without bloating the government's indebtedness or burdening the people with new tax measures.

03:25It is a common-sense approach that does not violate any law, much less the Constitution.

03:33I assure the Honorable Court and the people that, contrary to what has been portrayed by some critics,

03:42there was no dark or sinister plan behind the transfer of the Php16 billion fund balance from PhilHealth to the Treasury.

03:53Three petitions against the transfer of PhilHealth funds were heard here in the Supreme Court.

03:58It has been consolidated, meaning that it will be heard simultaneously.

04:02Here in the oral arguments, the magistrates may ask questions.

04:06Associate Justice Amy Lazaro Javier blamed PhilHealth for having an excessive amount of funds.

04:37That's when we call on the fund.

04:39Yes.

04:40Yes.

04:41Yes.

04:42But, Your Honor, I would like to highlight that every year PhilHealth actually generates more revenues than expenditures.

04:50I will show you the report of COA, which shows that PhilHealth is bankrupt, actually.

04:58I don't know if you're aware of that. You ought to be aware.

05:01If you are, Your Honor.

05:03And COA has repeatedly highlighted that in its letters to PhilHealth.

05:10And then COA said that for many years, at least three years, 21, 22, 23,

05:17the reserve fund of PhilHealth is much, much less than its actuarial fund, actuarial estimate.

05:29In October, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the transfer of PhilHealth funds.

05:36But the National Treasury was able to return the P60 billion in funds.

05:41The Department of Finance said that it has used 78 percent of its assets for critical health projects,

05:49such as public health emergency benefits and allowance to healthcare and non-healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

05:58Medical assistance for patients in need.

06:01Medical equipment purchased.

06:03Construction of three DOH health facilities and health facilities enhancement program.

06:09The magistrates will continue to ask questions in the next oral arguments on February 25.

06:16This is the first news in five paragraphs for GMA Integrated News.

06:22Kapuso, don't miss the latest news and updates.

06:26Be the first to know and subscribe to the YouTube channel of GMA Integrated News.

Legalidad ng paglilipat ng PhilHealth ng pondo sa National Treasury, tinalakay sa Korte Suprema | Unang Balita

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