* ₱26-billion all for Romualdez AKAP
* Critics say AKAP is tool for electionDAVAO CITY—Lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed to restore the budget for Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pet cash aid project AKAP (Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program), which amounts to PHP26 billion.
Ironically, the lawmakers allocated zero funding towards the subsidy of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for 2025.
Senator Grace Poe, the national budget’s sponsor in the Senate said that PhilHealth still has sufficient funds for its operational costs and must first exhaust its reserve fund.
The approval of the AKAP fund and denial of PhilHealth draw negative reactions from the netizens.
Others say it is an absurd decision wherein lawmakers no longer think of the health of the Filipinos.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, the vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health clarified that he did not sign the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the disagreeing votes on the proposed 2025 budget.
“Similar to the position of Sen. Bato de la Rosa, we want to scrutinize the details before signing. I am still reviewing the Bicam Report and so far, I found a few provisions that I have strong reservations on, particularly on the reported removal of the proposed budget for PhilHealth,” he said.
Go expressed dismay and objection saying, “Bagamat nadiskubre natin na may higit PHP 500 bilyong reserve fund ang PhilHealth matapos ang sunod-sunod na Senate Health Committee hearings na aking pinangunahan, I do not agree that we should completely defund subsidy for PhilHealth. This is unacceptable and anti-poor.”
He defended that PhilHealth cannot expand its services, which should be availed by Filipinos, because of the disapproval of subsidies.
“We fought that Philhealth should use the funds correctly, let us also support this desire by ensuring that the funds are meant for health by the law. It should not be put to any other use,” Go added.
He reminded his fellow lawmakers that under the Universal Health Care Law, the government should see to it that the medical expenses of the Filipinos will decrease.
“We are very far from this goal,” he said.
Go underscored that patients will be the most affected by their decision, particularly the indigents.
Meanwhile, The Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamayan (ANIM), a non-partisan group, said the approval of the AKAP fund by the lawmakers is a betrayal of public trust which revealed the dishonest nature of Congress’ political leadership.
The group said Congress has converted the national budget into a weapon for political patronage, diverting billions of dollars intended for social programs to benefit their own interests.
“The AKAP fund, which was supposed to help suffering OFWs, is now being utilized to solidify authority and gain influence. This betrayal exacerbates public distrust and produces an environment of impunity in which corruption thrives without accountability,” the group said in a public post.
They also urged the Filipinos not to remain silent and must demand greater openness, tighter monitoring, and harsher punishments for fund misuse.
“Congress needs to be reminded that public funds are for the people, not their pockets. The AKAP fund controversy is a harsh reminder of how many politicians prioritize personal wealth over public service,” the group said, adding that, it is time to hold Congress accountable and demand that politicians truly serve the Filipino people. (Photo courtesy: Senator Bong Go facebook page)
