MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) refutes claims that a PHP 138 million budget is for a Christmas party, clarifying its allocation for a 30th-anniversary celebration in 2025.
This amount was disclosed following a social media post by Dr. Tony Leachon, a known health reform advocate, who accused PhilHealth of allocating these funds for a Christmas party.
He voiced concerns over what he perceived to be excessive spending by PhilHealth. The post quickly gained traction, leading to public outrage and scrutiny over how the corporation allocates its funds.
The corporation has countered these claims, clarifying that the budget is meant for its 30th anniversary celebration set for 2025, not for a holiday event.
In response to the accusations, PhilHealth released an official statement emphasizing that the PHP 138 million budget is a proposed plan intended for a year-long nationwide celebration of its 30th anniversary.
PhilHealth spokesman said the planning for such events requires substantial funds to ensure a successful and memorable celebration.
The anniversary marks a significant milestone for the corporation, which was established to provide affordable health insurance to Filipinos.
PhilHealth further outlined that the budget includes expenses for various activities and events throughout the year, such as a coffee-table book publication, sports events, and other commemorative activities.
The corporation reassured the public that these plans are still under review and subject to further deliberation and adjustments.
