Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has shed light on a contentious issue surrounding the transfer of excess funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury. According to Carpio, who filed one of the petitions against the Department of Finance’s move, only the President has the authority to realign government funds under the executive branch.
In his statement, Justice Carpio emphasized that transferring PhilHealth funds without legislative approval would be unconstitutional and potentially set a dangerous precedent for future fiscal decisions. The issue highlights the need for transparency in government financial dealings, particularly in instances where public funds are involved.