Pimentel: Many other GOCCs can be sources of funds

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the debate on the transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds for economic activities, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said that there are many other government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that can be sources of funds for economic development.

Pimentel questioned the special interest of the executive branch to siphon the funds of PhilHealth whose mandate is to ensure the health of Filipinos.

“Why did they choose PhilHealth, (when) there are so many other GOCCs? … They should not target the PhilHealth funds, they could execute legal basis in other GOCCs,” Pimentel told dzBB radio.

Earlier, Pimentel pointed out that PhilHealth funds are as sacred as the money of the Government Service Insurance System  (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) since they are people’s contributions.

He said that PhilHealth officials and the Department of Finance should be ready to explain the circumstances behind issues involving the state-health insurer.

Pimentel, the Philippine Medical Association and eight other parties on Friday asked the Supreme Court to bar PhilHealth from transferring P89.9 billion in excess funds to the national treasury.