The Return of P60 Billion PhilHealth Funds Never Again to Illegal Fund Transfers: Ensure People’s Right to Health, Ensure Accountability  

AS A national umbrella organization of public sector unions and a co-petitioner before the Supreme Court, the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) welcomes the announcement of President Marcos Jr. to return the P60 billion PhilHealth funds that were unjustly diverted to the national treasury by the Department of Finance. This reversal is not a favor to the people—it is simply correcting a grave injustice against Filipino workers and citizens who rely on PhilHealth for their basic right to health care.

But let us be clear: the return of funds does not erase the fact that such a diversion was unconstitutional and a blatant attack on the people’s right to health. Labor unions and civil society urge the Supreme Court to act with urgency on our pending petitions—not only on the diversion of PhilHealth funds, but also on the zero subsidy to PhilHealth in the 2025 budget, which would further dismantle the people’s access to affordable and quality health services.

We remind the government that the Constitution, the Universal Health Care Act, and the Sin Tax Law all obligate the State to ensure sustained funding for PhilHealth. To starve PhilHealth of resources, or worse, to raid its funds for unrelated fiscal purposes, is to trample on the rights of workers, the poor, and the most marginalized sectors who depend on PhilHealth in times of sickness and crisis.

For labor, PhilHealth funds are not government savings, not a fiscal cushion, and not for political convenience. They are workers’ contributions and people’s lifeline. These must be safeguarded and used solely to cover hospitalization, treatment, and preventive care. We demand ironclad guarantees that this illegal and unjust transfer will never happen again, and that public officials responsible for this brazen act are held accountable.

We call on government: put the people’s health over profit, workers’ rights over austerity, and accountability over impunity. The health of the nation cannot, and must not, be sacrificed for fiscal tricks.

PhilHealth is for the people. Hands off our health funds.

#UHCNaminWagWasakin