Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Gov't can return P29.9 B PhilHealth funds, if...
The Philippine Star
|August 20, 2025
The Marcos administration has contingency plans to return the P29.9 billion that remain out of the total P89.9 billion in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds, whose constitutionality is now pending with the Supreme Court.
"If the SC decides that the executive branch will have to return this money, then naturally the national government will comply. We will put it in the budget. That budget will be passed by Congress and we will comply," Finance Secretary Ralph Recto assured Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno.
But this will only be the scenario, according to Recto, if the high tribunal hands down its ruling after the budget season, or until after both the House and the Senate finalizes the 2026 national budget of P6.793 trillion after this year ends.
"Now, if assuming that the decision is made in the middle of the budget year, then that will increase the deficit and it may affect our credit rating. Ergo, if we are to comply, we do it in the succeeding year's budget," Recto said.
This story is from the August 20, 2025 edition of The Philippine Star.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star
Iloilo bet crowned sprint king
A new sprint king has reached the summit of the National Youth Games now known as Batang Pinoy.
1 min
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
Charting a shared course: New Zealand, the Philippines and ASEAN
Two years ago, the Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Aotearoa sailed into Philippine waters, for the first time, on a mission of goodwill.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
NAIA: A year of change
It’s now been a little more than a year since the Ramon Angled consortium took over the operations and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sept. 14, 2024, and what a year it has been for the airport operator.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
Lifelong
rom rece
1 min
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
Marcos signs law banning POGOS
President Marcos has signed a law banning Philippine offshore gaming operators, more than a year after he ordered a crackdown on the POGOs, which have been linked to cyberscams, money laundering, human trafficking and other illegal activities.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
BARON GEISLER FINDS A MENTOR IN 'DELIVERY RIDER' DIRECTOR LESTER PIMENTEL ONG
BARON GEISLER RECENTLY SHARED HOW HE FOUND A MENTOR AND FATHER FIGURE, who continues to inspire him on and off the set, in “Delivery Rider” director Lester Pimentel Ong.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
A fascination with the world of maps
My fascination with maps began during my grade school days when I became obsessed with reading historical fiction books and books about other countries.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
Lifelong learning law signed
President Marcos has signed the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF) Act into law, which aims to promote functional literacy at all levels of society.
1 min
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
Magno sworn in as NBI OIC
Angelito Magno has formally assumed leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation as officer-in-charge, following President Marcos’ acceptance of the resignation of former NBI director Jaime Santiago.
1 min
October 30, 2025
The Philippine Star
PNP mobilizes units vs profiteering, hoarding
Hoarders and profiteers will be apprehended as the Philippine National Police has mobilized units to assist in keeping the prices of essential goods affordable.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size