In the complex realm of Philippine politics, we find ourselves grappling with a troubling legacy: the weaponization of government. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appears to be treating governance like a game of chess—where the pawns are the health services of millions. The consequences of this approach are currently on full display, particularly in the ongoing chaos surrounding the controversial PhilHealth fund transfers.
In a recent Supreme Court Oral Argument Session, Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier raised a critical question to Solicitor-General Menardo Guevara, asking about the necessity of transferring PhilHealth funds to the PGN Bridges project, which is already fully funded by the Export-Import Bank of Korea to the tune of P174.49 billion. Justice Lazaro-Javier pressed, “Is there an urgency to transfer the PhilHealth funds when the project is already fully funded?” Guevara’s response was a classic example of bureaucratic obfuscation. He suggested that Congress has the discretion to move the funds, asserting that decisions around funding are best left to their “wisdom.” This is a convenient dodge, one that veils the real issue: the health of the Filipino people is not a political bargaining chip.
It’s astonishing that in a country where health care is a pressing need, officials are flinging money around as if it were Monopoly cash. The questioning didn’t stop there. Justice Lazaro-Javier further challenged Guevara, asking if any of the Korean loan funds had even been spent, considering the project hadn’t even begun. His answer was equally perplexing: “Well, there is nothing to spend for if the project has not even started.” So, the question remains: where is the money? Is it languishing in some bureaucratic black hole, or has it already been earmarked for other, less noble purposes? Guevara’s insistence on Congress’s discretion raises alarms. When he stated that the validity of the fund transfer was a matter for Congress to decide, one can’t help but wonder: what discretion is he talking about?
The charter of PhilHealth is a constitution unto itself, designed to ensure that health resources are allocated to those who need them most. It should not be up for a vote in a Congress that often appears more interested in political posturing than in actual governance. If we allow Congress to dictate terms in such critical matters, we are essentially ceding our power and, with it, jeopardizing the future of our healthcare system.
At this juncture in our history, deferring to Congress is akin to handing over the keys to a runaway train. The implications are dire. We are witnessing a perilous trend where the needs of the people are consistently overshadowed by political maneuvering. As President Donald Trump attempts to steer the United States back to a semblance of accountability, we must confront our own reality. The notion that might makes right is a dangerous doctrine, especially when it leads to the misallocation of public resources. The PhilHealth debacle is merely a symptom of a much larger ailment afflicting our political landscape. The government’s inability to manage public funds responsibly is not just an administrative failure; it’s a moral one. What we desperately need is a return to governance based on principles, transparency, and accountability.
The Filipino people deserve leaders who prioritize their well-being over political expediency. The stakes are too high for us to accept anything less than a robust and accountable government that genuinely serves its citizens. In this political theater where even the most astute minds struggle to defend the indefensible, we must raise our voices and demand better. The future of our nation depends on it. Let’s not allow the can of worms to open any wider—let’s close it and demand that our leaders step up to the plate, prioritize public health, and restore faith in our institutions.
