MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) from transfering its excess reserve funds to the national treasury.
Supreme Court spokesman Camille Ting said they granted the petitions filed by 1Sambayan, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares, which challenged the transfer of P89.9 billion PhilHealth funds to the government to fund unprogrammed appropriations.
“The Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the further transfer of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury,” Ting said.
“The Court further required the Office of the Clerk of Court En Banc to personally serve the Court’s resolution on the respondents, which shall likewise personally file and serve their Comments,” she added.
PhilHealth transferred a total of P60 billion in May, August, and October. The agency planned to transfer more funds in November but this will not push through because of the TRO.
