The decision to allocate zero subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) indigent program in the 2025 national budget has sparked controversy, with critics raising alarm over its far-reaching implications on the most vulnerable Filipinos.
The bicameral conference committee’s approved budget—now awaiting President Marcos Jr.’s signature—will force PhilHealth to rely solely on its reported P600 billion reserve funds. Senate President Francis Escudero justified the move, claiming PhilHealth can sustain operations while being reminded of its mandate, including settling mounting debts with hospitals.
While Senator Grace Poe defended the budget realignment, citing PhilHealth’s reserves as sufficient for now, the decision drew fierce opposition. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros condemned the move as “unfair, illegal, and potentially unconstitutional,” stressing that the government is obligated under the Universal Health Care Law to subsidize indigents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
“Denying PhilHealth funding denies Filipinos their right to health,” Hontiveros argued, warning that ordinary citizens unable to pay premiums will bear the brunt of the decision.
Independent health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon echoed these concerns, calling the budget a betrayal of the Universal Health Care Law. In an open letter to President Marcos, Leachon urged a veto, highlighting the dire consequences for ordinary Filipinos—farmers, mothers, and the elderly—who rely on accessible healthcare.
Meanwhile, Ako Bicol Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon announced plans to probe PhilHealth’s reserves, amid concerns over mismanagement and inadequate investment returns.
With the 2025 budget on the verge of approval, the decision to prioritize fiscal realignment over indigent healthcare raises pressing questions: Can PhilHealth effectively fulfill its mandate without government support? More critically, who will safeguard the right to universal health care for the nation’s poorest if the state chooses to step back?
The crisis unfolding now demands immediate attention and accountability—before the promise of universal healthcare becomes an empty one.