The Supreme Court (SC) en banc has scheduled oral arguments for January 14, 2025, on the transfer of P89.9 billion in funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury.
The court noted the preliminary issue of whether a temporary restraining order or a status quo ante order should be issued against the respondents.
Before the oral arguments, the Supreme Court will hold a preliminary conference on October 9 to be attended by counsels of the petitioners and respondents.
Two petitions have been filed against PhilHealth: one led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and another by the group of Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares.
The petitioners argued that the insertion of the provision on unprogrammed appropriations exceeds Congress’ power to appropriate funds under the Constitution. They also stressed that the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on unprogrammed appropriations cannot amend the provisions of the Universal Health Care Act on PhilHealth.
Acting as respondents in the petitions are the House of Representatives, Senate, Department of Finance, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and PhilHealth.
The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier justified the fund transfer, stating that “billions in unused and idle funds of government corporations are being marshaled for projects in health, social services, and infrastructure that serve the public, finance growth, and cut poverty.”
