26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Be agents of hope- Advincula

By J.Lo

“May  Holy Year of 2025 make us agents of hope and heralds of joy in our communities… I pray for all of you and your families that you may not allow despair and resignation to take away your hope,” Roman Catholic Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said be agents of hope this Christmas.

Christmas message relayed by Advincula to remind  Catholic fanatics despite  problems they encountered in their lives, they should continue to live with hope because the baby Jesus Christ has been born.

Prelate  issued  message of hope as Pope Francis opened  Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve and launched  Jubilee Year 2025 with  theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Advincula emphasized  with  start of Jubilee Year of Hope,  restore climate of hope and trust, for everyone to have new strength and to look into  future with  open spirit,  trusting heart and  far-sighted vision.

“In  very dark world we are living in, we do not lose hope because the Star of Bethlehem will light our path and guide us in our journey, The circumstances of the first Christmas were very much like ours today… world today is no different. It was filled with lamentations and longings for freedom and redemption… dark… night…in this darkness,  light has shone and hope was born,” he said..

Jesus was born as  man to make him closer to His people, according to the Manila archbishop.

“Our God is Emmanuel… He is not distant… He is not far away… He has  face… He has  name… He has  family… He is with us… He was born in our midst… He has entered into human history… God the creator of all things, God  all-powerful and almighty, has become so tiny that He could fit in  manger…so helpless and powerless that He could be carried in our arms, According to the ancient fathers of the Church, He is God who ‘abbreviated’ Himself, who made Himself so small that we may no longer be afraid of Him. This gives us hope… gives us strength…we are not alone in our journey,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David called for inclusivity and unity this Christmas.

In his homily during the late evening Christmas Eve mass at  Kalookan Cathedral, David emphasized  Christmas is  time for people to break down barriers that divide them.

“Christmas invites us to open our hearts and minds, not just our homes, to welcome God through our hospitality toward one another, we will not have peace on Earth until we learn to tear down  walls of division and conflict based on color, religion, race, gender or socio-economic status,” he said.

David noted that even Pope Francis has urged everyone to practice inclusivity.

In considering who should be welcomed into  Church, David  would say “todos,” meaning, everyone.

Senate President Francis Escudero  commended  Filipino people’s resilience amid  series of tropical cyclones that hit  country this year.

“As we reflect on challenges we faced in 2024, including numerous natural calamities that battered our nation, we also celebrate  resilience and unity of  Filipino people,” Escudero said in his Christmas message.

Philippines was hit by six tropical cyclones ,severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Super Typhoon Leon, Typhoons Marce and Nika, and Super Typhoons Ofel and Pepito in  month, from late October to mid-November, displacing thousands of people and killing others in their paths.

Escudero said  Filipino people emerged stronger after  consecutive tropical cyclones,  becoming stronger and more frequent due to climate change.

The Senate President prayed for millions of Filipinos affected by  record number of consecutive tropical cyclones that hit the country just  month before Christmas. 

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Firecracker-related injuries spiked to 43

By J.Lo

Department of Health (DOH) announced 18 new cases of firecracker-related injuries bringing to 43  total number of such injuries recorded nationwide from Dec. 22 to 25.

Number is lower than 28 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Of  43 total cases, 34 are aged below 19 and nine cases are aged 20 and above.

Thirty-nine cases are men and four are women.

Illegal firecrackers, including boga, caused 86 percent or 37 of  total cases.

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. reminded  public to celebrate  holidays safely and avoid using firecrackers.

25 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

6 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Leadership  change at Senate

By Nidz Godino

Public  witnessed eventful 2024 in Senate, including dramatic shift in leadership,  rare appearance of former president Rodrigo Duterte as  resource person at  hearing,  explosive revelations surrounding Alice Guo,  Chinese national elected as mayor, as well as several high-profile investigations.

Adding  year’s turbulence was  Senate’s tug-of-war with  House of Representatives over efforts to amend  1987 Constitution through people’s initiative. This contentious push for Charter change (Cha-cha), widely criticized as  attempt to bypass  legislative process,  believed by some sectors to have triggered  leadership change in  upper chamber.

By yearend, relations between  two chambers improved as  Senate agreed to most of  House’s proposals in  P6.352-trillion national budget, including  P1.3-billion cut to  allocation for the Office of the Vice President.

Both houses also thumbed up  controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) after senators were given their fair share of  program.  House would get P21 billion while  Senate would get P5 billion, or  total of P26 billion.

Two days before  second regular session of  19th Congress last May, Senate President Francis Escudero unseated then Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri amid political maneuvering and investigation into leaks related to sensitive investigations, including  controversial PDEA documents implicating high-level officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Zubiri said rumors that one of the reasons for his ouster was due to  Senate’s lack of support for Cha-cha does not make sense, since his successor Escudero was very vocal against amending  Constitution.

Before 2023 ended,  House pushed for Cha-cha through people’s initiative, calling for Congress to vote as one body ,seen as  move to weaken  Senate’s influence by merging its 24 votes with over 300 congressmen.

House’s push for Cha-cha was tempered by Marcos, who emphasized Senate should take  lead in amending  Constitution. In response, Zubiri, along with Senators Loren Legarda and Sonny Angara, filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6,  sought to amend  Charter’s economic provisions, particularly on public services,  education sector and advertising industry.

Although  Senate committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, spearheaded discussions, Zubiri designated Angara,  lawyer to lead  subcommittee. Angara’s subcommittee conducted several public hearings on proposed amendments. However,  proceedings were cut short when Escudero assumed Senate presidency, halting further deliberations.

In  rare occurrence, former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared before  Senate as  resource person, marking  significant moment in Philippine political history. Duterte’s presence underscored  gravity of  issues being investigated, particularly those related to controversies from his administration, such as  war on drugs, allegations of extrajudicial killings and links to Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).

Duterte’s presence came as House quad committee conducted  parallel inquiry, implicating both Duterte and his long-time allies, Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, both snubbed  hearings.

Citing  long-standing tradition of parliamentary courtesy,  two senators declined  House’s invitation. Instead, they called for  Senate to conduct its own probe.

Senate committee on women, children and family relations, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, launched  investigation into  alleged scamming and human trafficking activities within  POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.  Probe  uncovered  alleged involvement of then mayor Alice Guo, senators later revealed to be Guo Hua Ping,  Chinese national  spoke fluent Tagalog.

Not only did Guo possess fake documents – including birth certificate, passport and other proof of Filipino identity but her father and siblings were also found to have falsified their records.

When authorities closed in, Guo and her companions attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Indonesia, but they were eventually arrested and deported back to the Philippines.

Following 16 marathon hearings, senators concluded their investigation, leading to Guo’s dismissal as mayor. She is now detained and facing multiple charges across various courts, including allegations of human trafficking, document falsification and involvement in illegal POGO activities.

Senate’s inquiry not only exposed Guo but also uncovered broader criminal operations using POGOs as front for human trafficking, money laundering and illegal immigration.

In response, President Marcos ordered  total ban on POGOs by yearend, signaling  decisive move to address  national security risks and social issues posed by these controversial operations.

Scandal  also sparked calls for stricter immigration policies and document verification processes, with lawmakers urging reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Just days after assuming office as Senate President, Escudero ordered  suspension of  new Senate building’s construction due to its skyrocketing costs. Originally budgeted at P8.9 billion, Escudero revealed  project cost had ballooned to P13 billion, with  additional P10 billion needed for completion, bringing  total estimate to P23 billion.

In  strategic move, Escudero appointed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as chair of  Senate committee on accounts, replacing Sen. Nancy Binay, who previously held  position.  Decision  reignited  longstanding rivalry between  Cayetano and Binay families, rooted in  territorial dispute between Makati City and Taguig over  Embo barangays,  Supreme Court ruled in Taguig’s favor.

International Criminal Court is reportedly pursuing its investigation against Duterte and Dela Rosa, among others, over thousand of deaths in  war on drugs. Duterte called  ICC to speed up its probe against them.

Escudero raised questions about Duterte’s call, considering that the former president led  Philippines’ withdrawal from  ICC in 2019.

Dela Rosa, considered  architect of  war on drugs, vowed to cooperate with  Department of Justice (DOJ) investigating  alleged extrajudicial killings committed during Duterte administration.

Dela Rosa  respects  jurisdiction of  DOJ which formed task force to look into  violation of Republic Act 9851, also known as  Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Despite Escudero securing 15 votes to claim  Senate leadership from Zubiri, persistent rumors of  coup against him continue to circulate.  Escudero dismissed  speculation,  also been denied by several senators.

Another high-profile Senate investigation, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, focused on allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse against controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, founder of  Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Both  Senate and  Pasig Regional Trial Court issued arrest orders, prompting law enforcement to stake out Quiboloy’s Davao property for several days. He  eventually surrendered and appeared before  Senate, where he denied all  accusations leveled against him.

25 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

6 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

FMJ to sign 2025 national budget on December 30

By Nidz Godino

“Signing on 30 December 2024 after  Rizal Day program in Manila,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez told Palace reporters  P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 is set for enactment on Dec. 30 after undergoing “rigorous” examination by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and key officials, who decided to maintain some of  cuts and insertions made at the last minute by lawmakers.

Signing  of  spending measure by Marcos will coincide with  country’s commemoration of Rizal Day.

Marcos deferred signing of  proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act because of  number of issues, including  “insertions” without appropriate documentation and  P12-billion cut in outlay of  Department of Education.  Cut  in  DepEd outlay goes against  administration’s policy direction, officials said earlier.

Spending  bill  ratified by Congress on Dec. 11  was supposed to be enacted on Dec. 20.

Deferment  was meant to “allow more time for  rigorous and exhaustive review of  measure that will determine  course of the nation for next year,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in  statement.

Bersamin earlier said the President is likely to veto certain items in the proposed national budget “in the interest of public welfare” and “in compliance with laws.”

Marcos met  Bersamin, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan at  Bahay Pangulo on Monday to review  spending bill. The President also met  same officials at Malacañang on Dec. 18.

Marcos earlier vowed to restore  multibillion-peso allocation slashed from DepEd’s budget, saying  move to reduce  agency’s proposed outlay for next year goes against his policy direction.

Apart from reduction in  DepEd’s proposed budget, some sectors also criticized  removal of subsidy for  Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for next year.

The Chief Executive upheld move to give PhilHealth zero subsidy, saying it has multibillion-peso reserve funds anyway.

According to the President,  state-run health insurer has  P500-billion reserve, but  cost of providing its services in a year is just less than P100 billion.

Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos lamented  decision of her brother to push through with  signing of  budget program despite cuts in  allocation for education and health.

“Like  thief of the night before  New Year!” Sen. Marcos said.

She confirmed receiving  advisory from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) regarding ceremonial signing of  budget program by the President.

“The President will hold  ceremonial signing of FY2025 GAA at 9:30 in the morning  on Dec 30 in Malacañang Palace,” Marcos said in  Viber message to Senate reporters.

On Dec. 11, Congress approved bicameral conference committee report on  P6.532-trillion national budget for 2025, retaining  cut in the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s budget as tensions between her and President Marcos heightened.

Both Houses also thumbed up  controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) after senators were given their fair share from the program. House would get P21 billion while  Senate would get P5 billion, or  total of P26 billion.

The senator warned her brother that he is not allowed under the law to realign  vetoed budget items to augment other projects, like use it to fix  Department of Education’s P11.6-billion budget cut or PhilHealth’s zero subsidy.

“If the President does line item veto, they cannot use  appropriation of the items vetoed to fund or augment other items in the budget….they will have less projects to fund, which may translate to  deficit lower than what was originally programmed  which may be  good or bad thing, depending on who’s counting,” Marcos said.

She pointed out that  P1.113-trillion budget for  DPWH is unconstitutional because it exceeded  DepEd’s P737 billion budget.

The least the President could do is to veto P188 billion worth of DPWH projects to make education budget priority again, Marcos said.

1987 Constitution states education should receive  highest budgetary allocation in the national budget.

But  vetoed DPWH funding may be factored in next year’s P531.665-billion unprogrammed appropriations,  standby funds that can only be tapped when revenue exceeds target, the senator said.

“Unless they have  different way of computing budgetary allocations for education, at least P188-billion public works projects should be slashed so that  budget would not violate Constitution. So there may be at least P188 billion worth of rewards in  unprogrammed appropriations for  ‘old ye faithful,’” she said.

“Those unprogrammed funds can be released only if there is excess income, or if there are new sources of funds not included in  Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing,” she stressed

Other  projects earlier criticized by Senator Marcos are  P26-billion budget for  Department of Social Welfare and Development’s AKAP program and  Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) Program,  she said can be used by politicians to court votes.

She has taken issue with AKAP, insertion by  House of Representatives, after her falling out with her cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Isaiah 9:6

⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

24 Disyembre,2024 Martes

7 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

PhilHealth to minimize  premiums, expand coverage, benefits

By J.Lo

“We are fully supporting that reduction…and that is  very huge reduction… I actually made  commitment to sit down with my team in PhilHealth to recommend for  decrease in  premium contributions,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon told  House pane although deprived of subsidy under 2025 approved budget program,  state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has assured lawmakers that it would still be able to reduce premium contribution and expand its coverage next year for overall better health care benefits for members.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. relayed assurance to  Bongalon of party-list Ako Bicol at last week’s hearing by  House committee on good government and public accountability on  national health insurance system.

Ledesma said  intention of PhilHealth leadership to recommend  decrease in contributions, pursuant to  pending Senate measure aiming to reduce  rate from five percent to 3.25 percent.

Ledesma explained nevertheless that premium rates are set by law and that PhilHealth does not unilaterally decide on adjustments.

“All of these are already set…and then just for  information of this honorable body, it’s currently at five percent this year… latest increase,” he said.

At the same time, Ledesma assured lawmakers  PhilHealth remains committed to increasing program benefits. “Our commitment is to increase  program benefits,  hopefully will take effect by next month ,January 2025..”

PhilHealth’s surplus funds,  stand at P150 billion, and reserve funds exceeding P200 billion, remain  key concern for House, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez,  vowed to initiate marathon hearings next year on PhilHealth’s fund management.

The PhilHealth chief  would also be expanding members’ hospitalization coverage by 50 percent, in response to lawmakers’ concerns that  state health insurer must better utilize its substantial reserve funds for  direct benefit of members.

House panel, led by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, stressed  importance of balancing financial sustainability with tangible benefits for PhilHealth members.

Ledesma’s commitment to both reducing contribution rates and expanding health care benefits was welcomed by lawmakers,  vowed to monitor PhilHealth’s progress.

There will be more hearings on PhilHealth issue when Congress resumes session on Jan. 13 next year.

Bongalon stressed that PhilHealth’s mandate includes decreasing contribution rates once reserve funds exceed  ceiling needed to meet expenditures. “That is your mandate…so, can you commit that you will not be focused on benefit expansion alone…can you decrease contribution?”

The Bicolano legislator,  lawyer by profession, also questioned PhilHealth’s allocation of government subsidies, noting that funds intended for indirect contributors appear to have been diverted to investments.

“Same with 2024 General Appropriation Act… budget of PhilHealth was P60 billion, P40 billion  for indirect contributors…so, that is the reason why we could not understand why all of these funds go to investments,” Bongalon said.

24 Disyembre,2024 Martes

7 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Business sector hit “booklets for meds no longer required for seniors

By Nidz Godino

“I am also  senior citizen… I know it is hard to always bring  purchase booklet with you. ..seniors need  discount on their medicines, and we must make it easy for them to get that,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.senior citizens are no longer required to present  purchase booklet to avail themselves of 20-percent discount when buying medicine..

Through Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2024-0017, Herbosa allowed  removal of such  requirement provided for under  Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Herbosa called his directive “gift of convenience and more affordable medicines to all of our senior citizens … on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”

Under  AO, senior citizens no longer need to present  purchase booklet to drugstore, along with valid identification and  doctor’s prescription, in order to get  20 percent discount.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, chairman of  committee on senior citizens in the House of Representatives, lauded Herbosa’s initiative.

“Thank you very much for  action, DOH, on behalf of all senior citizens nationwide,” said Ordanes,  member of  House’s committee on health.

“We also hope that this policy included our persons with disability, who also have discount booklets themselves…they also buy medicines and medical devices…unnecessary  booklet is…finally, DOH is enlightened on this, it is very good of them that they heeded House Resolution 2031, approved as Resolution 253, and listened to our joint hearings of  House committees on senior citizens, ways and means and PWDs,” he said.

House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo had pushed for  removal of  booklet system for senior citizens, saying  requirement is “useless” and  “insult” to the elderly.

But some business groups, such as  Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association, said booklet system is needed as  way to monitor purchases.

Meanwhile,  Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concern over  proliferation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

In  statement,  CHR said  proliferation of fake PWD IDs is  serious violation of Republic Act 10754, which amended  Magna Carta for Disabled Persons that provided PWDs with 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax on certain goods and services.

“Fraudulent practices of this nature undermine  integrity of these privileges and trivialize  legitimate struggles and daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities…these benefits are essential to improving their quality of life and fostering inclusivity in society,” the commission said.

CHR also welcomed efforts of government agencies to address the issue, including possibly requiring  unified ID system by  Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“This system is intended to enhance transparency and accountability through real-time ID verification, ensuring that benefits reach only those who genuinely qualify,” it said.

Bureau of Internal Revenue also announced  nationwide crackdown on  sale and use of fake PWD IDs as  measure to prevent revenue losses due to fraudulent tax evasion schemes.

“We commend and support these initiatives…they are crucial in safeguarding  benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them, we call on all sectors of society, including businesses, organizations and the general public, to actively combat fraudulent activities…report any instances of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities or related schemes to  National Council on Disability Affairs at council@ncda.gov.ph,  Persons with Disability Affairs Office or appropriate law enforcement agencies” the CHR said.

23 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

8 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

‘Time to help others-gift of self better than material gifts’

By J.Lo

“But what is saddening is that we become too consumeristic, that sometimes we think of Christmas as something consumeristic, such as gift giving…but you could always give more to people…actually, nowadays, there are  lot of material things that you could give to other people, but how many of them are being used, or maybe they are handed over to someone else, or just kept inside  cabinet,” Roman Catholic Church Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communications director Fr. Roy Bellen said more than material things, there may be times when  gift of self to loved ones this Christmas season is better.

For Catholics, Christmas is  spiritual experience, according Bellen.

 “There is more to life, more to Christmas than just giving material things, and that is of course your presence,” he stressed.

Prelate  explained  offering  gift of self is  act of giving one’s time, attention and care to another person,the kind of gift that could be given by those who might be short of cash.

“There may be people who desire for material things, believing that this would be  solution to their problems…but the Lord will tell you that that is not the answer to your loneliness..for your loneliness, I will give you friends, I will give you family…spend time with your family, God has  different way of answering  needs in our lives… your presence is  gift,” Bellen said.

The archdiocese official reminded people that  Christmas season is also  opportunity for families to hold reunions, to catch up and reconnect.

23 Disyembre,2024 Lunes

8 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

1 yr suspension of PhilHealth contribution

By Nidz Godino

“Next year,  House will conduct  thorough and impartial investigation on how PhilHealth’s funds are being managed…  investigation is not about blame; it is about finding solutions,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said in his closing remarks before Congress went on holiday break House of Representatives will conduct  investigation on how  state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has been managing its funds after billions of pesos in supposedly “excess” PhilHealth funds were discovered.

Romualdez assured public that  probe “will ensure that every peso in PhilHealth’s coffers works for  benefit of its members , hardworking Filipino people who contribute month after month.”

He hinted that once  “underutilization” of PhilHealth funds is established, or are “in excess of what is needed for current operations,” they will move for  one-year suspension of members’ contributions, reduction of premium contributions and expansion of benefits until “zero billing” is reached.

Last week, members of the House committee on good government and public accountability said that on top of  P60 billion in “excess” funds that were impounded and sent to  national treasury, PhilHealth has billions of pesos in its coffers before  year 2024 ends.

PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. told lawmakers, led by panel chairman Manila 3rd Rep. Joel Chua, that they still have P150 billion in surplus, P281 billion in reserves and  investment portfolio nearing P489 billion as of October.

PhilHealth’s chief financial officer Renato Limsiaco admitted to Chua that surplus funds, after covering benefit payments, are directed into investments.

“Once we’re done and OK, once we already paid  benefits, then the excess money will be used for investments,” he explained.

House leaders have criticized PhilHealth for prioritizing investments over health care services of  more than 110 million Filipinos and called for immediate premium reductions and reforms to benefit its millions of members.

Criticisms  emerged in last week’s hearing in  Chua committee, where lawmakers scrutinized PhilHealth’s ballooning funds, prompting Congress to propose  zero subsidy for the agency under  P6.35-trillion national budget for 2025.

For his part, Ledesma cited PhilHealth’s financial stability and announced plans for  50-percent increase in coverage for most case rate packages.

Representatives lamented that despite  impressive figures showing PhilHealth’s financial stability,  health insurer’s growing reserves and investments have not translated into significant relief for Filipino families burdened with rising health care costs.

“This simply means that  subsidy  government gives for purpose of improving health care have been diverted and used for investment purposes and not for health care, it seems that you’re more focused on investment aspect to  detriment of health care which is now being sacrificed…focus on health care benefits instead of investments…our investments here should be  lives of our people,” Chua said.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Luke 2:11-14

¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”