As the Supreme Court continues its highly anticipated oral arguments concerning the validity of unprogrammed funds in the national budget, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has re-emerged as a voice for health equity, framing the current legal battle as the inevitable “sequel” to the controversial transfer of PhilHealth funds.
In the second round of oral arguments held this Tuesday, April 21, the High Court scrutinized the constitutionality of unprogrammed appropriations in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 General Appropriations Acts.
While some officials defended the funds as “utilitarian” tools for economic management, budget experts warned that such mechanisms have become vehicles for lack of transparency. The session delved deep into whether the Bicameral Conference Committee overstepped its bounds by inflating the budget beyond the President’s original proposal—a move that mirrors the “financial gymnastics” used to justify the PhilHealth fund sweep.
Go, who serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, pointed out that the technical legal debates currently held in the halls of the Supreme Court are deeply rooted in the “moral and legal question” triggered by the diversion of PhP89.9 billion—including the initial PhP60 billion—from PhilHealth to the National Treasury.
“Habang nagdedebate ang mga abogado sa Korte Suprema tungkol sa unprogrammed funds, huwag nating kalimutan kung saan ito nagsimula. Ang kasalukuyang oral arguments ay karugtong lamang ng ating ipinaglaban noon laban sa pagwawalis ng pondo ng PhilHealth,” Go stated.
The Senator was among the first to sound the alarm on the fund transfer, acting as the original whistleblower long before the judiciary intervened. He consistently labeled the move as “immoral” and “unacceptable,” arguing that funds contributed by members for health services must remain dedicated to health.
“Bago pa man naging sentro ng usapin sa Korte Suprema, tayo na ang unang nangalampag na imoral hindi katanggap-tanggap ang paggalaw sa pondo ng mga maysakit. Sabi ko nga noon, ang perang para sa kalusugan ay dapat gamitin para sa kalusugan lamang. Hindi ito ‘excess’ habang marami pa ring Pilipino ang hindi makabayad sa ospital,” he added.
Go began publicly criticizing the management of PhilHealth funds on July 19, 2024, specifically opposing the transfer of excess funds to the National Treasury. He highlighted the potential negative impacts this could have on healthcare services.
By July 30, 2024, during a Senate Health Committee hearing, Go intensified his criticism. He argued that the fund transfers were “maybe legally but morally wrong.”
On August 2, a Supreme Court petition was filed challenging the constitutionality of the fund transfer. This move was followed by similar petitions from various advocacy groups in October, further amplifying the issue.
Meanwhile, Go emphasized that while the legal community scrutinizes budget technicalities and fiscal space, his focus remains on the “human cost” of the fund sweep. He noted that the ongoing oral arguments are finally shedding light on the “double blow” dealt to the health sector last year: the PhP60 billion fund sweep followed by a “zero-budget” allocation for PhilHealth in the General Appropriations Act.
“Double whammy ang ginawa nila sa PhilHealth. Kinuha na ang natitirang pondo, tinapyasan pa ang budget para sa susunod na taon. Ang pinahirapan ay ‘yung mga maysakit na umaasa sa tulong ng gobyerno. Habang nagpapalitan ng legal na argumento ang mga eksperto, ang iniisip ko ay ang mga pasyenteng hindi nabigyan ng libreng gamot o hindi nakapagpa-dialysis dahil nawala ang pondong dapat sana ay para sa kanila,” Go lamented.
The Senator concluded with a stern call for accountability, echoing the sentiments of millions of Filipinos who felt the impact of the illegal transfer of PhilHealth funds then, and are now enduring the challenges brought by the global oil crisis.
“Hindi ito nalilimutan ng Pilipino. Dapat may accountability. Pera ng taumbayan ito, pawis at hirap ng mga manggagawa ang kinuha ninyo. Hindi ito usapin lang ng accounting—ito ay usapin ng pananagutan sa bayan,” the Senator firmly declared.
