SC stops robbery

On Dec. 5, 2025, the Supreme Court announced that by a unanimous decision, it has ordered the Department of Finance (DOF) to return asap the P60 billion Ralph Recto dragooned from the benefits fund of PhilHealth, the state health insurance company.

- TONY LOPEZ

The high court, by a majority vote, also ruled as a grave of abuse of discretion, amounting to a lack of, or an excess of, jurisdiction, the 2024 General Appropriations Act provision and a DOF (Recto's) circular 003-2024 which directed the transfer of P89.9 billion to the national treasury, representing the fund balance or excess reserve funds of the PhilHealth.

In compliance with 003-2024, the PhilHealth had remitted P60 billion to the national treasury in three tranches. The SC issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the transfer of the remaining P29.9-billion PhilHealth funds and the further implementation of Special Provision 1(d) of the 2024 GAA and DOF Circular No. 003-2024.

The SC struck down Special Provision 1(d) of the 2024 GAA for being a rider - a provision not germane or related to the bill's purpose. The Constitution requires all provisions of the GAA to be germane to its purpose to prevent surprise or fraud upon the legislature and to fairly inform the people of the bills' subject.

DOF's transfer authority or order promotes fraud or robbery. It has enabled senators, congressmen, other government officials and contractors to steal the money supposed to fund projects covered by unprogrammed appropriations.

The year 2024 was the peak of power of the now legendary (for corruption) Bicol party-list congressman Elizaldy Co, as chair of the powerful House appropriations committee. Zaldy Co is the poster boy of corruption who made "Congress" the synonym for "large-scale larceny" - the loss of more than P1 trillion in taxpayers' money disguised as flood control funds.

It turns out included in the P1 trillion were monies of government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs); specifically, the P60 billion of PhilHealth.