By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
The sham and history of corruption within PhilHealth, highlighted by overpayments, reimbursements for non-existent services, and the “upcasing” of illnesses in the past have showcased the pattern of deep-seated malfeasance during the Duterte administration.
The height of that fraudulence was the story sold to the Filipino workforce, that unless premium rates were raised, PhilHealth would collapse by 2027. It was a scare tactic that played on the fears of millions who rely on the fund for their health security.
But what was really happening? Behind the scenes, systemic misconduct siphoned off billions, leaving members to shoulder the burden of a collapsing system while those at the top lined their pockets.
It was somewhat refreshing that Marcos Junior came into the picture. His administration justified the deferment of premium hikes by citing the economic struggles brought on by the pandemic. This move seemed to signal a break from the oppressive policies of the past.
Yet, beneath this seemingly compassionate decision lies a more calculated agenda.
Now it seems that the postponement was less about alleviating the financial strain on Filipinos and more about creating a smokescreen for the government’s real intentions: tapping PhilHealth’s funds.
It was evident that after the past year, PhilHealth had accumulated nearly P90 billion in unused government subsidies — a sum that should have been channeled back into enhancing healthcare services, expanding coverage, or reducing out-of-pocket expenses for its members.
Instead, these billions have become an attractive target for those looking to shore up funds for unprogrammed appropriations — expenditures not approved by Congress and potentially aimed at filling fiscal gaps in the national budget.
The Marcos administration’s interest in these funds is no coincidence. With a growing appetite for unprogrammed appropriations and the looming specter of the Maharlika fund, it’s clear that PhilHealth’s reserves are seen as a convenient cash cow, ready to be milked for purposes far removed from healthcare.
This isn’t about improving public health; it’s about financial engineering that puts the interests of political powerbrokers ahead of the well-being of millions of Filipinos.
In this game of fiscal sleight-of-hand, the real losers are the ordinary citizens who dutifully contribute to PhilHealth, only to find their safety net at risk of being unraveled for the sake of political expediency.
Clearly, we can blame these issues emanating from the highest reaches of government that have eroded public trust and threatened the sustainability of the fund. Mismanagement directly impacts the quality of healthcare services available to Filipinos, as funds that should enhance benefits are instead lost to corruption.
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