Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon is demanding accountability for PhilHealth’s alleged failure to expand health insurance benefits or reduce premiums, despite holding over P700 billion in reserves and more than P500 billion in investible funds.
Bongalon, vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, also said he will file a resolution calling for a congressional probe into PhilHealth’s reserve funds. He seeks to uncover where these funds are invested and whether PhilHealth executives are personally benefiting from these transactions.
“At just a conservative 4% annual interest, P500 billion could yield P20 billion in income. How much does PhilHealth really make from its investments? Where do they place the funds, and who decides where it’s invested? Most importantly, what’s the criteria for these investments?” Bongalon asked.
The investigation comes in the wake of Congress’ decision to defund PhilHealth’s premium subsidies for 2025. Bongalon, a member of the House contingent to the Bicameral Conference Committee, said PhilHealth has failed to utilize allocated funds to expand medical benefits.
Responding to critics, he said Congress’ decision not to appropriate P74 billion in premium subsidies will not deprive Filipinos of health insurance benefits, as PhilHealth has more than enough funds to cover its obligations.
Bongalon stressed that many of his constituents, including private hospitals, prefer the Department of Health-administered Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program because it can cover the entire hospital bill, compared to PhilHealth, which only partially covers a patient’s medical expenses.
“MAIFIP is the real lifesaver. That should be government’s priority instead of PhilHealth premium subsidies that are only kept in banks,” he said.
Early this year, the Department of Finance ordered PhilHealth to return P90 billion in unused subsidies that were sitting in banks, but the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against it.
Under the Universal Health Care Act, PhilHealth is required to use excess funds to either expand benefits or reduce premiums. However, the State insurer has done neither, prompting Congress to withhold additional subsidies.
In hearings, Bongalon said it was revealed that P42 billion in Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) meant for benefit expansion, including the Konsulta Package, remain unused.
PhilHealth’s handling of its funds has drawn increased scrutiny, especially as many Filipinos struggle with limited access to affordable healthcare. Bongalon stressed that the investigation would ensure transparency and accountability in managing public funds.
