Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Overcast skies and rain will prevail over major parts of Luzon and the Visayas on Monday due to several weather systems, including the low pressure area (LPA) currently in the vicinity of Visayas.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the LPA was last spotted in the vicinity of Balud, Masbate.

‘Inaasahan na ang Western Visayas at Mimaropa makakaranas ng mauulap na kalangitan, pagkidlat at pagkulog dahil sa epekto LPA,’ said Pagasa weather specialist Charmagne Varilla.

(Western Visayas and Mimaropa are expected to experience cloudy skies with lightning and thunder due to the effects of the LPA.)

Meanwhile, the shearline is expected to continue bringing rain and cloudy skies to Metro Manila, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Calabarzon and Bicol region-while the northeast monsoon will bring similar conditions to the rest of Luzon, particularly in its northern sections.

Relatively fairer weather, on the other hand, is expected in the rest of Visayas and Mindanao with chances of rain due to localized thunderstorms.

Temperature range in key cities/areas on Monday

Metro Manila: 24 to 34 degrees Celsius

Baguio City: 14 to 24 degrees Celsius

Laoag City: 21 to 31 degrees Celsius

Tuguegarao: 22 to 36 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 25 to 30 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 24 to 30 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay: 22 to 29 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 28 to 30 degrees Celsius

Iloilo City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 25 to 29 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 26 to 31 degrees Celsius

Cagayan De Oro City: 25 to 31 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 25 to 34 degrees Celsius

The Supreme Court has voided a special provision of the 2024 budget law and a circular from the Department of Finance (DOF), paving the way for the return of P60 billion in funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that were previously transferred to the National Treasury.

On Sept. 20, President Marcos, in remarks made at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, said he had already ordered the amount to be returned to the state health insurer so it could be used for the expansion of PhilHealth services.

The amount was part of the ‘excess’ PhilHealth funds totaling P89.9 billion that the DOF, then headed by Ralph Recto, had intended to be moved to the treasury.

At a briefing on Friday, Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said the high court, through Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, arrived at a unanimous vote declaring void Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), as well as DOF Circular No. 003-2024.

The provision authorized the return of the fund balance or excess reserve funds of government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to the National Treasury to fund unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 GAA.

In compliance with provision and the DOF Circular, which directs the transfer of the P89.9 billion to the national treasury, PhilHealth remitted P60 billion in three tranches.

Of PhilHealth’s P89.9-billion excess funds, P20 billion was transferred to the treasury in May 2024, followed by P10 billion in August and P30 billion in October the same year.

The remaining P29.90 billion was supposed to be transferred in November 2024, but was blocked by the Supreme Court’s issuance of temporary restraining order.

In its decision on Friday, the Supreme Court held that the questioned GAA provision was a ‘rider’ in nature and ‘not germane or related to the bill’s purpose.’

‘The Constitution requires all provisions of the GAA to be germane to its purpose to prevent surprise or fraud upon the legislature and to fairly inform the people of the bills’ subject,’ Ting said, citing the decision.

A provision is considered germane if it is ‘particular, unambiguous, and appropriate,’ she said.

Not defined

While Special Provision 1(d) was specific in the sense that it related to unprogrammed appropriations in the GAA, the Supreme Court found the provision ambiguous because it introduced the concept of ‘fund balance,’ a term not defined in the 2024 GAA.

The high court said the provision was void for implicitly repealing Section 11 of the Universal Health Care Act (UHCA, or Republic Act No. 11223) and the sin tax laws.

Section 11 of the UHCA requires PhilHealth to maintain reserve funds up to a two-year ceiling of projected program expenses. Each year, PhilHealth must set aside part of its net income as reserve funds, and any unused funds must be invested so that earnings are added back to these reserves.

If the reserve funds exceed the ceiling, the Supreme Court said, the excess must be used to increase the benefits under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and reduce members’ contributions.

The 2024 GAA provision was also found to be contrary to the sin tax laws, which earmark specific excise taxes exclusively for the UHCA’s implementation.

‘The Bureau of Treasury must set aside these amounts for the UHCA’s implementation, and Congress must fully allocate them to PhilHealth through the GAA. Congress cannot reduce, suspend, or withhold these earmarked funds,’ the Supreme Court said.

Compliance

Executive Secretary Recto on Friday said the executive department would comply with the Supreme Court order.

‘As we always said before the decision was issued, the Executive will follow the Supreme Court’s order, just as we followed and complied with the directive of Congress then to use the dormant funds of GOCCs for the benefit of the people,’ he said.

Recto was the finance chief at the time when the fund transfer came to light and drew strong objections from stakeholders in public health sector, civil society groups, and some lawmakers.

‘We reiterate that the Executive simply complied with the congressional mandate under the 2024 GAA, and that the [DOF’s] role is solely in revenue generation and debt and deficit management. We believed then, and still believe, that the directive was a common-sense approach to optimize government coffers without resorting to additional borrowing or new taxes,’ he added.

‘Right to health’ upheld

Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares, one of the petitioners who asked the Supreme Court to stop the PhilHealth fund transfer, said the high court’s decision was a ‘victory for the right to health.’

‘It is a significant development that the Court upheld the right to health of the people. We have long argued that the right to health is self-executing and does not need an implementing law to be a source of right. We can use this decision in cases where the right to health is violated,’ Colmenares said in a statement.

Sen. JV Ejercito, one of the principal authors of the universal health care law, described the Supreme Court’s return order as a ‘welcome correction.’

‘From the very beginning, we made it clear that these funds belong to PhilHealth,’ Ejercito said. ‘We should not call this ‘excess funds’ considering that funds set aside for health care are not enough. Many of our countrymen cannot afford to pay for medical and hospital expenses.’ -WITH REPORTS FROM LUISA CABATO, JASON SIGALES, KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING AND INQUIRER RESEARCH

Jason Perkins scored a conference-high 33 points as Phoenix defeated Blackwater, 106-98, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Perkins went 13 of 20 from the field while grabbing seven rebounds as the Fuel Masters resumed their campaign by improving to 3-6.

He was ably supported by Ricci Rivero, who added 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists to help Phoenix restore a share of nine spot with Titan Ultra.

Phoenix bounced back from a 102-93 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Nov. 16 prior to the Fiba break.

The Fuel Masters are within striking distance of Ginebra and the Meralco Bolts, who are tied for seventh and eighth at 3-4.

Blackwater suffered a seventh straight defeat to go down at 1-7 despite 25 points, five rebounds and five assists from Sedrick Barefield plus 18 points and 10 rebounds from Christian David.

Abu Tratter had 17 points and six rebounds while Dalph Panopio added 12 points and five assists in their first game since being tapped to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

They will miss the Bossing’s final two games of the eliminations while they are in the Thai capital of Bangkok for the centerpiece 5-on-5 event.

Sen. Loren Legarda on Saturday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision directing the government to return the ?60 billion earlier transferred from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) back to the agency through the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The High Court likewise prohibited any further transfer of the remaining ?29.9 billion, making the ruling immediately executory.

‘This decision is correct and consistent with what we have long fought for-PhilHealth’s funds must remain with PhilHealth. These subsidies exist to protect the Filipino people, not to be diverted elsewhere,’ Legarda said.

PhilHealth had originally been instructed to remit a total of ?89.9 billion in excess funds to the National Treasury. Of this amount, ?60 billion was already remitted last year before the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), halting the transfer of the remaining ?29.9 billion.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have since incorporated the restoration of the ?60 billion into the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) being discussed in the Senate. This was the clarification Legarda underscored during the Senate session on December 4, 2025.

During the same session, Legarda reiterated her longstanding position that Congress has a responsibility to ensure that PhilHealth receives the support it needs to deliver essential health services. She stressed that the allocation under the 2026 NEP remains insufficient and does not comply with the mandated sin tax law.

‘Congress owes the Filipino people a properly funded PhilHealth,’ Legarda emphasized. ‘In my interpellation on the General Principles of the 2026 budget, I raised concerns over the gaps in PhilHealth’s appropriations for 2024, 2025, and 2026. We must ask where the funds were originally placed, why they were removed, and how we intend to fully restore them.’

Legarda also underscored the need for transparency and accountability in the use of PhilHealth subsidies.

She formally requested PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH) to submit detailed liquidation reports to ensure that the restored funds are used efficiently and aligned with the agency’s mandate. ‘As we restore these amounts, we must also demand full transparency,’ Legarda said. ‘I asked PhilHealth and the DOH to account for these funds so that we can determine how the restored budget will genuinely benefit our people.’

Building on this, Legarda reiterated that accountability must go hand in hand with adequate and reliable funding. She called for the full restoration of all funding deficits across all sources, including earmarked revenues from sin taxes, PAGCOR, and PCSO, which have accumulated over the years.

A long-time advocate for accessible and high-quality healthcare, Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the financial stability of PhilHealth and ensuring that its resources directly support Filipino families, especially the most vulnerable.

‘Health care is not a privilege; it is a right. Every peso intended for the people’s health must be safeguarded,’ she said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has committed to the timely and transparent release of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to support the immediate expansion of its benefits and the improvement of services.

This comes as PhilHealth is set to receive P113 billion in 2026, following the restoration of P60 billion in previously withheld funds, in addition to the P53.13 billion originally proposed for next year.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described the allocation of a record-breaking P113-billion subsidy as ‘the boldest and most decisive investment in universal healthcare for vulnerable and underprivileged Filipinos in the country’s history.’

‘A significant portion of the subsidy will be sourced from sin tax revenues – funds collected from alcohol and tobacco products that are channeled back into healthcare,’ Recto said.

He added that the unprecedented P113-billion subsidy will directly support the healthcare needs of indigent families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors, ensuring that millions receive expanded PhilHealth coverage without additional burden.

In a decision dated Dec. 3, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered the return of P60 billion previously transferred to the National Treasury and permanently prohibited the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion fund balance.

As early as September though, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had already ordered the return of the withheld funding to PhilHealth.

Recto noted that the 2026 budget reflects that this promise has been delivered in full.

‘This administration promised to protect underprivileged Filipinos through better healthcare. With the P113-billion allocation, we are not just keeping that promise – we are exceeding it,’ he said.

‘This is the largest single-year investment for the poor under universal healthcare.’

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Friday said it has secured another freeze order against the assets of a construction firm and several associated entities and individuals allegedly involved in irregular flood control projects.

In a statement, the AMLC disclosed that the Court of Appeals (CA) issued the freeze order on Thursday, covering a private construction company identified as having the largest number of suspected ghost flood control projects.

Also included were entities and persons believed to be connected to the firm’s operations.

The order affects 280 bank accounts, 22 insurance policies, three securities accounts and eight air assets. The CA ruled that there were sufficient grounds to link these assets to possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation of public funds and property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said the move demonstrates the council’s continuing resolve to safeguard public funds.

‘The filing of this petition for a freeze order underscores the AMLC’s firm commitment to recover every peso of public funds that may have been misused,’ he said.

The latest action adds to the mounting number of assets placed under freeze since authorities began investigating anomalies in flood control projects.

The total value of frozen assets has now reached P13 billion, with investigators expecting the figure to grow as the probe continues.

La Salle coach Topex Robinson was all smiles after the Green Archers’ Game 3 Final Four win over National University, 78-73, at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Aside from guiding the Green Archers to the UAAP Finals for the third straight year, Robinson was also fired up for another coaching battle against University of the Philippines’ Goldwin Monteverde.

‘It’s a good thing for me personally, as a coach, to learn from somebody who’s been there five times. That’s not luck,’ he said.

‘He really has a good staff there and a good support group, but we also have to take into consideration that we’re really happy to be here.’

This season, Robinson has had Monteverde’s number.

In both squads’ two meetings during the elimination round, the Archers won twice, but both games went down to the wire.

La Salle beat UP in the first round, 72-69, then completed an elimination round sweep of its rival with an 87-82 victory in the second round.

But instead of looking at their elimination round matchups, Robinson opted to recall their past two Finals meetings.

‘Through the first Finals experience we had, the most important thing was the respect. We really respect that team so much.’

‘It’s their fifth straight Finals appearance and that’s really huge for a program. It’s really going to be a good challenge for us as a team.’

UP and La Salle renew their finals rivalry in Game 1 on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Now a couch potato, I turned on the TV to the Nov. 30 rally. I caught the priests, bishops, and the Cardinal on stage. I recalled the day when I told a former student priest of mine, ang kaparian natin ay dapat nang manindigan (Our priests should now take a stand). And he answered, hindi sila naninindigan, naninimbang ho (They are not taking a stand, they are still weighing things).

Touché! But at last, here they were, doing more than just ringing the bells. Naninindigan na (They are now taking a stand) in public.

There were Bishops Elias Ayuban of Cubao, Mylo Vergara of Pasig, Eugenius Cañete of Gumaca, Quezon, Colins Bagaporo of Kidapawan, Dave Capucao of Infanta, Quezon. And in and out of sight were Fathers Robert Reyes and Flavie Villanueva.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David was forceful but subdued throughout his message in his characteristic manner; rejecting any takeover of government [by] military or civilian. But when, at his last sentence, he broke out, visibly angry at government, I was jubilant. Magtrabaho naman kayo! (Please do your jobs!) The crowd roared. How can the Church keep the light of such priests under a bushel?

At 3 p.m., I caught the program at the Edsa People Power Monument, ending past 7 p.m. with the descending darkness. ‘Put on the lights of your cell phones’, the emcee said. Yes, the sight of gently moving lights was dramatic.

From start to finish, from emcee to performers, the program was pure energy, piercing my TV screen! There was banter about ‘balde’ (pails). They should have given us many pails to scoop the floodwaters (‘daan-daang balde para salukin ang tubig-baha’). The songs they sang and the instruments they played on could be deafening to me, who was brought up on the gentler sounds of piano and melody.

And mea culpa for the low esteem I have had for beauty queens. Catriona Gray led the crowd through a very relevant examination of conscience. Aren’t we part of the problem and therefore should be part of the solution? Returnees ‘after 40 years’ were singers Mitch Valdez and Celeste Legaspi. Any time I was expecting Leah Navarro to walk in and lead the crowd in the uplifting signature song of Edsa- ‘Magkaisa.’

But this was an angry crowd, have no doubt. The calls at regular intervals throughout the program of ‘Ikulong ang magnanakaw, ibalik ang pera! (Jail the thieves, return the money!)’ was a steady, swelling scream of anger. My 93-year-old heart could have collapsed at any point in that sustained outrage. Kudos to Kiko Aquino Dee and all the organizers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must realize that he has barely escaped the outrage. He must thank sober minds who take constitutional constraints seriously. He has been spared from being sucked into the flood tide of the people’s outrage. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

Also, Marcos Jr. is still saddled with a heavy burden inherited from his father-a booty so heavy, of money, jewels, art objects; a heavy tax debt; plus the horrible part of the Marcos debt-violence against life, imprisonment, torture, ‘salvaging’, disappearance; and-the culture of corruption bequeathed by his father, that has seeped through the entire government structure and bureaucracy from top to bottom; and sadly to the people whose acceptance level has become very high-precisely what we are fighting now.

Are there admission and restitution in view?

Rally fatigue? Uh, uh; not allowed. What? Ningas cogon again? Dear Millennials and Gen Zs-hackneyed but true. You are the hope of the nation. Not hackneyed but also true. You are the hope of 2028-you make the biggest voting bloc with 63 percent of voters translating to 44 million votes.

EDSA IV-here we come?!

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday announced there will be no fare hike for traditional and modern jeepneys after a big-time oil price rollback lowered diesel prices.

Transportation groups are seeking a P1 to P2 fare hike from the current P13 minimum fare for traditional jeepneys and the P15 minimum fare for modern jeepneys.

In a statement, acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez said it was not the right time for a fare hike.

‘A fare hike will have a big impact in the economy as a whole, especially since many provinces are yet to recover from the effects of calamities, such as the past earthquakes and typhoons,’ Lopez said.

A study by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development showed that a P1 to P2 base fare hike for jeepneys would increase the country’s inflation rate in the next two years.

Aside from affecting commuters, he said the fare hike would also affect the prices of basic goods.

On the other hand, LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza said five regions, including three of the most populous regions in the country, are against a fare hike.

These include Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas and Metro Manila.

Crackdown vs colorum PUVs

In addition, a study by the LTFRB and dialogues held with transport groups showed public utility vehicle (PUV) operators are having second thoughts about a fare hike.

To help ensure sufficient earnings for PUV drivers and operators, the DOTr and the LTFRB, in partnership with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, created the Anti-Colorum Task Force to go after individuals and groups behind unregistered or ‘colorum’ PUVs.

According to a study by the LTFRB, as much as 30 percent of legitimate PUV drivers and operators are taken away by colorum PUVs.

‘We will chase and catch everyone involved in these illegal operations. The DOTr and the LTFRB will not stop in our pursuit for the sake of legitimate PUV drivers and commuters who rely on them),’ Lopez said.

On the other hand, Mendoza called on unregistered PUVs, particularly unregistered transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers and operators, to make use of the 17,000 registration slots available for TNVS.

Over 8,600 passengers were stranded in different ports across the country on Saturday (December 6, 2025) due to Tropical Depression Wilma, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In its maritime advisory issued at 10 a.m., PCG said that 8,622 passengers were stranded from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. in 87 ports in Southern Tagalog, Northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Southern Visayas, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.

PCG added that 126 vessels, 38 motorbancas and 2,628 rolling cargoes were affected by the weather disturbance.

Meanwhile, 161 vessels and 101 motorbancas were taking shelter.

According to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Wilma maintained its strength as it moved closer to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.

It was last spotted over the coastal waters of Sulat in Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m.

It was still carrying a maximum wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

Wilma continued to move slowly in a westward direction.

The tropical depression is forecast to make a landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar within today (Saturday). /apl