CAGAYAN de Oro City's 2nd District Representative, Rufus Rodriguez, has called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to mandate the return of P90 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) to ensure members receive their entitled medical benefits.

According to Rodriguez, Philhealth had previously remitted this substantial amount to a “general fund,” likely managed under the national treasury. 

“The President will do justice to the more than 104 million members of Philhealth if he orders the return of the funds," said Rufuz adding that the money belongs to Philhealth members, not to a so-called ‘general fund’ of the national government.

Rodriguez emphasized that these funds are crucial for the healthcare benefits of Philhealth members. 

They could be used to enhance health insurance coverage or introduce new services currently not provided by the state-run health insurance system. 

“This way, it is the members who will benefit from their funds, not some personalities who would dip their fingers into the P90-billion ‘general fund’,” he warned.

He clarified that the P90 billion comprises premium contributions from both “direct contributors” and “indirect contributors.” 

Direct contributors include employees whose salaries are partially deducted each payday for Philhealth, while indirect contributors encompass the poor and senior citizens whose premiums are covered by the national government.

“Whether direct or indirect premium contributions, these funds belong to Philhealth members," saud Rodriguez.

The national government should not take away what it has paid for the health insurance coverage of millions of the poor and the elderly and make these people pay for their health insurance, Rodriguez asserted.

Rodriguez also criticized Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who chairs the Philhealth board, for not defending the retention of these funds within Philhealth. 

“Secretary Herbosa should explain this failure, which is not congruent with his previous declaration that Philhealth funds are for the benefit of its members,” he concluded.

The call to action from Rodriguez highlights a significant concern regarding the allocation and use of funds intended for public health and insurance, stressing the importance of transparency and proper use of contributions meant to benefit the Filipino people.