Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, former Chairperson and now Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, expressed guarded optimism over the planned restoration of PhP60 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for next year, while stressing that these funds must be used correctly and exclusively for the benefit of Filipinos’ health.
He likewise warned that accountability must be upheld should the Supreme Court decide that the previous transfer of the funds was unconstitutional.
Speaking during his manifestation of support for the Department of Health (DOH) 2026 budget deliberations on Wednesday, October 1, Go recalled his long-standing opposition to the controversial transfer of PhilHealth funds. He made clear that the decision to restore the money is not a favor to the people but simply a correction of a wrong action.
“I would like to place on record that I am hopeful about the health budget for next year. Ito po ‘yung pagbabalik ng P60 bilyon sa PhilHealth,” Go began, emphasizing that he had already opposed the questionable transfer as early as 2024.
“As early as July 2024, I had already raised serious concerns about the adverse impact of the PhilHealth fund transfer. In fact hindi po ako pumirma sa bicam report for 2025 kasi ayaw ko pong na zero ang PhilHealth.”
According to news reports, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto stated the PhP 60 billion “will be included in the NEP26 (National Expenditure Program for 2026)” and that they are “also looking for legal authority to do it this year.”
He then recalled that in this year’s budget, he had initially proposed specific amendments to ensure hospitals received additional funding, only for these to be unfortunately not included in the 2025 GAA.
“Dun sa plenary, sa period of amendments, ang sinuggest ko doon, bigyan ng tulong ang mga hospitals, halos lahat ng hospitals, ‘yun po ‘yung sinuggest ko doon. Pero pagdating naman sa dulo, hindi naman nasunod. Na-zero pa ang PhilHealth, kaya hindi po ako sumang-ayon doon,” he said, referring to his opposition to the Bicameral Conference Committee Report for the 2025 budget which resulted in adjustments detrimental to the health budget.
As the then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go explained the deep frustration he felt when PhilHealth was deprived of funding. “Dahil bilang Chairman po ng Committee on Health, masyadong masakit sa akin na makita na zero ang itutulong ng gobyerno sa PhilHealth at hindi natin alam kung saan dinala.”
Go earlier acknowledged the decision of the Executive to restore P60 billion in so-called ‘excess funds’ from the National Treasury to PhilHealth. He called this as long overdue stating: “That money, by law and by principle, rightfully belongs to PhilHealth. It should not have been taken from PhilHealth to begin with.”
The senator did not mince words in characterizing the earlier transfer, calling it a violation of both law and morality. “The Executive is restoring PhP 60 billion not because they found spare funds to cover it, but because the transfer was wrong. It was immoral. It was illegal. It should never have happened.”
He expressed hope that the Supreme Court will soon render its decision on the legality of the said transfer.
“Kung ang magiging desisyon ng Korte Suprema ay unconstitutional pala ang naging transfer ng excess funds, dapat may managot! Hindi pwedeng basta nila gagamitin ang pondo kung saan-saang proyekto nila gusto, at ibabalik na lang kung kailan din nila gusto!”
He further vowed close scrutiny of how the restored funds will be managed by PhilHealth to guarantee that they will serve their intended purpose.
“Kaya tututukan natin ito. Sisiyasatin natin kung paano gagamitin ng PhilHealth ang pondong ito upang masigurong ito’y ilalaan lamang sa mga benepisyo at serbisyong tunay na para sa mga Pilipino.”
Reiterating his long-standing advocacy for affordable and accessible healthcare, Go closed with a reminder of PhilHealth’s core purpose. “Dahil, gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi noon pa, ang PhilHealth ay para sa health ng mga Pilipino.”
