Pres. Bongbong Marcos Speaks on Zero Subsidy for PhilHealth 2025
BONGBONG MARCOS – The Philippine President assured the members of PhilHealth that a zero subsidy will not affect the services.
In the past few days, countless news reports were about the decision of the Bicameral Committee to deny the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth of a subsidy in 2025. According to the lawmakers, the state health insurer has enough reserve funds.
Senator Grace Poe previously said that PhilHealth may have around P600 billion reserve funds kept in the bank. According to the lawmaker, the government is at the losing end in this as the money earns very little.
Senate President Chiz Escudero said that the lapses of PhilHealth are the reason why it got zero subsidy in 2025. He stressed that the state health insurer failed to follow the mandate under the Universal Healthcare Law.
Escudero stressed that there is “zero billing” mandate under the Universal Healthcare Law. According to the Senator, the huge reserve funds of the state health insurer shows its failure to function properly for the benefit of the Filipino people.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. previously said it will write a letter to Pres. Bongbong Marcos to appeal the decision of the lawmakers regarding its subsidy. However, the Chief Executive defended the verdict of the lawmakers.
Marcos Jr. stressed that the reason why the PhilHealth will not be given a budget is that the fund will not be used. He also stressed that with the reserve funds of the state health insurer, they can do whatever they want.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Pres. Bongbong Marcos spoke anew on the decision of the lawmakers to deny PhilHealth of a government subsidy in 2025. According to the Chief Executive, the services provided by the state health insurer will not be affected by the denial of the government subsidy.
“[N]apaka-simple lang ng guarantee ko: Kahit na subsidy, kahit walang subsidy, kahit anong contribution, all of these issues — hindi mababawasan ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth, hindi mababawasan ang bayad ng PhilHealth sa insurance claim,” he said.
Pres. Marcos even assured the members that the PhilHealth benefits are even expected to improve. Based on the report, the Chief Executive tells members of the state health insurer not to worry.
“So, I would like to just assure everybody, huwag niyong inaalala na mababawasan ang serbisyo kahit na kanino. Para sa senior, para sa mga mahirap, para sa middle class, walang mababawasan kahit isang kusing,” the President said.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez previously said that the lawmakers are looking into the impact if the payment of the premiums of the PhilHealth members will be suspended for a year. Previously, PhilHealth assured the lawmakers that they will avoid “unexplainable expenses” in the future.