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Tingog Party-List won’t handle PhilHealth, DBP funds
By Nidz Godino
“Funds are managed by DBP and PhilHealth…all we’re doing is lending hand to these local government units that don’t have technical capacity to go through these complex processes on their own,” Rep. Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-List) said. Tingog Party-List will not manage any government funds under memorandum for program aimed at expanding hospital infrastructure and healthcare financing.
Acidre addressed in his privilege speech on Monday controversies surrounding memorandum his party-list signed with Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Memorandum for Maalagang Republika: Rural Financing Health Development Program, signed on December 6, seeks to build more hospitals and provide funding for underfunded rural healthcare facilities.
Acidre emphasized in his speech that Tingog’s focus is on its advocacy. He said they want to help local governments “navigate tedious process of applying for loans” for hospital upgrades.
“Tingog’s role in this program is simple and clear: advocacy and assistance…we do not touch funds, we don’t choose which LGUs participate,” he added.
Since program’s funds will be sourced from DBP and PhilHealth, health and finance experts have criticized memorandum, warning of potential for corruption and misuse of funds to gain support from local government units (LGUs) for 2025 midterm elections.
One of its strongest critics, former Health Secretary Tony Leachon, called memorandum “patently illegal” on December 9, saying it may also be unconstitutional for violating non-partisanship mandate of government programs.
“This particular MOA ,memorandum of agreement to me is patently illegal, unconstitutional and there might be signs of electioneering,” he said .
Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno also said in podcast on December 11 that memorandum is not just form of “political patronage,” but could also lead to corruption.
Leachon argued that third party is unnecessary since Universal Healthcare Law tasks PhilHealth and DOH with expanding hospital infrastructure and providing “technical assistance” such as consultation and advisory services.
“It’s not in mandate of PhilHealth to provide funding for LGU facilities because that’s the responsibility and job of DOH,you don’t need third party to do that…they’re independent agency. … so why do you need third party to force PhilHealth to fulfill its duties?” Leachon stressed.
He also said that legislative branch should not be involved in budget execution of this program.
According to Acidre, Tingog’s role is to facilitate preparation of “hospital development plans” and “financial and operational feasibility studies” for LGUs.
Leachon also questioned whether Tingog would be involved in procurement and bidding processes for training, support and facilities, stressing that these fall under DOH’s responsibilities.
Acidre explained that MOA “ensures funds are used for their intended purpose” and will be spent and accounted for according to Commission on Audit’s guidelines.
He added that LGUs are still required to comply with procurement laws and DBP charter should they participate in the program.
The lawmaker countered argument that memorandum violates Universal Healthcare Law, saying PhilHealth cannot reimburse hospitals “if there are no hospitals to begin with.”
In earlier statement, Tingog clarified their role is to complement agencies like DOH by building LGU capacity, facilitating access to DBP’s credit facility, and providing direct medical assistance programs.
Rep. Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District) defended MOA during plenary session on Monday, saying funds will not be transferred to Tingog.
“Financial arrangements are strictly between DBP and LGUs, all subject to DBP’s mechanisms for accessing loan,” she added.
Tingog Party-List is also represented by Yedda Marie Romualdez, wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
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