NAGKAISA—the largest labor coalition in the country—expressed support for the petition filed in the Supreme Court by Senator Koko Pimentel, as well as concerned citizens and organizations, questioning the legality of the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury.
Pimentel filed the petition together with Ernesto Ofracio, Junice Lirza Melgar, Cielo Magno, Maria Dominga Cecilia Padilla, Dante Gatmaytan, Ibarra Gutierrez, Sentro ng Mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, Inc., Public Services Labor Independent Confederation Foundation, Inc., and the Philippine Medical Association.
In a 38-page petition, Pimentel and his fellow petitioners asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO), including a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the transfer of funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury.
P89.9B FUND TRANSFER
“The NAGKAISA is grateful to and stands united with the petitioners in challenging the validity of Department of Finance (DOF) Circular No. 03-2024, which directed the transfer of ₱89.9 billion from PhilHealth’s reserves to the national government,” stated NAGKAISA chair Sonny Matula.
The coalition said it firmly believes that this transfer violates the provisions of Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act), specifically Section 11, which governs the use and limitations of PhilHealth’s reserve funds.
“The transfer of these funds, intended for healthcare benefits, to the National Treasury raises serious legal and ethical questions as it ignores and does away several laws and basic norms,” Matula explained.
RETURN P20B ALREADY TRANSFERRED
In addition to supporting the existing petition, the NAGKAISA chair said they plan to file a separate petition after exhausting all administrative remedies.
The labor coalition has formally requested the Office of the President to rescind DOF Circular No. 03-2024 and return the ₱20 billion already transferred to the National Treasury last May.
‘Should the administration fail to act on this request, NAGKAISA will proceed with filing a separate petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court,” Matula added, saying: “We are committed to ensuring that the funds collected from Filipino workers’ contributions to PhilHealth are used appropriately and in accordance with the law. Our separate petition will further highlight the serious implications of this fund transfer on the country’s healthcare system and the welfare of our workers.”
The coalition urges the government to take immediate action to rectify the situation and uphold the legal provisions governing PhilHealth’s funds. “Workers and their unions’ intervention will strengthen good governance and democracy. The filing of the petition demonstrates that citizens are aware, vigilant and will not tolerate actions detrimental to the common good.”
