1Sambayan Coalition and other individuals on Wednesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the transfer of the P89.9 billion unused funds of PhilHealth to the National Treasury.
The third tranche of the excess funds amounting to P30 billion will be transferred to the national treasury today.
In a press conference after the filing, former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who is the lead convenor of 1Sambayan, said the transfer of PhilHealth funds is a direct violation of the Constitution.
He cited Section 25, Article VI of the Constitution stating “no law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations.”
Other petitioners include former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, and lawyer Howard Calleja, among others.
They filed a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition asking the High Tribunal to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO), writ of preliminary injunction and/or other injunctive remedies.
In August, Magno was also joined by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, Philippine Medical Association, labor groups, and women organizations in filing a petition to declare said transfer unconstitutional.
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