Ex-Bayan Muna reps ask SC to rule on P89.9B PhilHealth fund transfer

Former Bayan Muna representatives are urging the Supreme Court to decide on consolidated petitions questioning the transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury.

In a Motion to Resolve, former lawmakers Neri Colmenares, Ferdinand Gaite, and Carlos Isagani Zarate asked the high court to rule on the petitions and issue constitutional guidelines to prevent similar budgetary irregularities.

The group challenges the transfer of government-owned and -controlled corporations' reserve funds to the national treasury for unprogrammed appropriations.

While President Marcos Jr. decided to return P60 billion of PhilHealth's excess funds, petitioners are concerned that a lack of clear constitutional parameters could allow similar unconstitutional acts in the future.

They believe the Supreme Court's ruling will provide crucial guidance for future budget processes, aiming to reform its transparency and accountability.

The group specifically challenges the constitutionality of using presidential certification of urgency in the national budget, arguing it makes the General Appropriations Bill vulnerable to 'insertion' and amendments after passing third reading.