POLITICS

Supreme Court Orders Return of PhilHealth Sixty Billion

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 4

Left 25%

Center 75%

Sources: 4

MANILA — The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the national government to return ₱60 billion transferred from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's excess reserves, and permanently blocked further transfers, ruling the contested budget provision and DOF circular unconstitutional. The 15-0 decision, promulgated Dec. 3 and announced Dec. 5, said Congress and the executive exceeded authority under the Universal Health Care Act and sin tax statutes. The court instructed the government to include the returned funds in the 2026 General Appropriations Act. Petitioners and UHC advocates welcomed the ruling. Affecting health funding nationwide. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Timeline

2024: Special Provision inserted into the 2024 GAA directing excess GOCC reserves to national treasury.
2024: DOF Circular No. 003-2024 issued, triggering transfers from PhilHealth including P60 billion remitted in tranches.
2024–2025: Petition filed challenging the transfers; SC issued a temporary restraining order on remaining funds.
3 Dec 2025: Supreme Court promulgated a 136-page unanimous decision declaring the transfers unlawful.
5 Dec 2025: SC publicly announced the order to return P60 billion and instructed inclusion in the 2026 GAA.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 4
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 3

Who Benefited

PhilHealth and millions of Universal Health Care beneficiaries will regain earmarked funds and statutory protections, helping to preserve health benefits and program operations.

Who Suffered

The Department of Finance and programs that relied on unprogrammed appropriations will lose access to the redirected P60 billion and face budgetary adjustments.

Expert Opinion