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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rodriguez urges SC to issue TRO vs further transfer of PhilHealth funds

Rodriguez urges SC to issue TRO vs further transfer of PhilHealth funds

Published Oct 24, 2024 06:16 am

At A Glance

  • Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the remaining transfer of excess funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury.

FB_IMG_1663259453201.jpgCagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Facebook)

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the remaining transfer of excess funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury.

Rodriguez made this appeal after the SC said it might act on several petitions questioning the constitutionality of the P89.9-billion fund transfer earlier than the scheduled hearing on Jan. 14 next year.

“We laud the high court for this willingness, but this gesture will be more impactful if the tribunal issues a TRO now to prevent further transfers and the use of the money by executive agencies,” he said in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 24.

PhilHealth has already transferred the first trance of P20 billion last May 10, P10 billion last Aug. 21, and P30 billion on Oct. 16.

The state health insurer is scheduled to transfer the remaining P29.9 billion worth of excess funds in November.

“Next week will already be November. So the window for the Supreme Court to prevent the handover of the balance is closing,” said Rodriguez.

At the same time, the veteran lawmaker is urging President Marcos to order the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to withhold the use of the transferred funds in deference to the high court.

He said Marcos should also ask PhilHealth to hold any further remittance.

“Let us respect the high court. Let us await its decision on this issue,” he stressed.

Rodriguez pointed out that if the executive uses the funds while the petitions are pending, it might be accused of “bad faith and lack of prudence.”

He also warned officials responsible for the remittances and disbursement of the funds that they would face criminal charges if the SC declares the transfers unconstitutional.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Bayan Muna, health advocates, and other groups have filed petitions before the SC challenging the controversial fund transfer.

Earlier, the DOF ordered government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC), such as PhilHealth, to transfer their excess funds to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The agency argued that this was a “more prudent” option for the government than borrowing or imposing taxes to finance unprogrammed appropriations.

Related Tags

Supreme Court (SC) PhilHealth fund transfer Rufus Rodriguez temporary restraining order
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