Group lambasts PBBM as a Scrooge for not restoring Philhealth subsidy

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) lambasted President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. as a Scrooge for not restoring the subsidy for Philhealth and funds for social services in the national budget that he signed today.

 

“President Marcos, Jr. is being disingenuous in his veto of a few line items as AKAP remains embedded in the national budget. Further, he is being dishonest in saying that Philhealth benefits will not be affected by lack of subsidy. Philhealth members and beneficiaries are demanding significant improvement of benefits—a 50% increase in coverage as was discussed in the budget deliberations & promised by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa,” stated Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

PM was among the coalition of labor groups, health workers and medical advocates that held a big protest to ask for the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy in the 2025 national budget. Members of the Nagkakaisang Mamamayan para sa Pangkalusugang Pangkalahatan marched to Mendiola in Manila last December 18 to call on President Marcos, Jr. to veto the budget and reform the Philhealth. Last December 26, members of PM and Sentro also held a rally at the Philhealth office in Cebu City.

 

PM reiterated its demand for the resignation of Herbosa and the Philhealth board for their failure to make good on their promises as well as for their inefficiency that has become an alibi for the zero subsidy.

 

PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. Moreover, the group has been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women. 

Press Release

December 30, 2024

Ahead of expected signing of budget, PBBM asked to restore Philhealth subsidy

Photo from Freeman

With the expected signing of the national budget on December 30, the labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to restore the subsidy for Philhealth and the budget cut for other social services.

 

“President Marcos, Jr., do you hear the people’s demand? Restoring the Philhealth subsidy and social services budget will be a great welcome gift for the new year. Do not be a Scrooge by affirming the flawed 2025 budget in toto,” stated Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

She noted that the clamor for restoring the Philhealth subsidy and social services budget is widespread as workers in Cebu held a protest yesterday to highlight the demand. Members of PM and the labor group Sentro trooped yesterday afternoon to the Philhealth office at Cebu City to call for the restoration of the budget for social services.

 

Miranda criticized President Marcos, Jr.’s recent pronouncement that no Philhealth benefits will be affected even if there is no subsidy in the 2025 budget. She explained that “President Marcos Jr. is missing the point. The demand of Philhealth members and beneficiaries is the significant improvement of benefits and services. In 2025, we hope to see a 50% increase in Philhealth coverage—as was discussed in the budget deliberations and promised by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.”

 

PM was among the coalition of labor groups, health workers and medical advocates that held a protest last Wednesday and asked for the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy in the 2025 national budget. Members of the Nagkakaisang Mamamayan para sa Pangkalusugang Pangkalahatan marched to Mendiola in Manila to call on President Marcos, Jr. to veto the budget and reform the Philhealth.

 

PM is also calling on the President to axe Secretary Herbosa and the Philhealth board for their failure to make good on their promises as well as for their inefficiency that has become an alibi by solon for the zero subsidy.

 

PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women.

 

Photos of the Cebu rally can be accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0iwhgYKFUvWSUtktmQjgP9bqTGigyHRJWHK2nyS3ScFH7Z9tSfYpxapzQevsJ8T37l

Press Release

December 27, 2024

PBBM asked to restore Philhealth subsidy and not be a Scrooge

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to restore the subsidy for Philhealth and the budget cut for other social services. “President Marcos, Jr., do you hear the people’s demand? Restore the Philhealth subsidy and social services budget as a Christmas gift to workers and the people. Do not be a Scrooge by affirming the flawed 2025 budget,” stated Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

Miranda criticized President Marcos, Jr.’s recent pronouncement that no Philhealth benefits will be affected even if there is no subsidy in the 2025 budget. She explained that “President Marcos Jr. is missing the point. The demand of Philhealth members and beneficiaries is the significant improvement of benefits and services. In 2025, we hope to see a 50% increase in Philhealth coverage—as was discussed in the budget deliberations and promised by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.”

 

President Marcos, Jr. has postponed the scheduled signing today of the 2025 national budget. Aside from the zero subsidy for Philhealth, several departments like DSWD, DepEd and DOLE suffered reductions in the bicameral conference committee version of the budget.

 

PM was among the coalition of labor groups, health workers and medical advocates that held a protest last Wednesday and asked for the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy in the 2025 national budget. Members of the Nagkakaisang Mamamayan para sa Pangkalusugang Pangkalahatan assembled at Morayta before marching to Mendiola to call on President Marcos, Jr. to veto the budget and reform the Philhealth.

 

PM is also calling on the President to axe Secretary Herbosa and the Philhealth board for their failure to make good on their promises as well as for their inefficiency that has become an alibi by solon for the zero subsidy.

 

PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women. 

Press Release

December 20, 2024

 

Workers and allied groups rally to demand restoration of Philhealth subsidy

A newly formed coalition of labor groups, health workers and medical advocates asked for the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy in the 2025 national budget. Members of the Nagkakaisang Mamamayan para sa Pangkalusugang Pangkalahatan assembled this morning at Morayta before marching to Mendiola to call on President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to veto the budget and reform the Philhealth.

 

“In the 2025 national budget, there is zero subsidy for Philhealth but full subsidy for trapos in the form of AKAP, AICS, TUPAD and confidential funds,” stated Judy Miranda, Partido Manggagawa (PM) secretary general, which was among the groups that participated in the protest.

 

PM is demanding a “veto, restore and reform”: Veto the bicam version of the GAA; Restore the subsidy for Philhealth; Reform the system through the resignation of Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and a revamp of the Philhealth board. Aside from the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy, PM is also asking for the removal of confidential funds not just for OVP of Sara Duterte but for all other agencies including the OP.

 

PM slammed the Congressional bicameral conference committee for not allocating any subsidy for Philhealth. “It is the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte and all other officials that must be taken out, not support for health insurance of workers and the people. Zero subsidy for Philhealth, NO! Zero budget for confidential funds, YES!,” asserted Miranda.

 

However, the group added this is also partly the fault of Secretary Herbosa. PM called for the resignation of Herbosa for his failure to make good on commitments to improve Philhealth benefits for its members, many of whom are workers. “Sectary Herbosa should step down since he cannot do his job and make good on his promises. He committed to increasing by 50% across-the-board hike in Philhealth benefits which has not materialized. Philhealth has excess funds since it is scrimping on benefits. Herbosa, Alis dyan!,” Miranda asked.

 

PM’s demand for Herbosa’s resignation is part of the group’s advocacy for quality public services. PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women. 

Press Release

December 18, 2024

Workers hold forum and rally vs zero Philhealth subsidy

 

Labor leaders and activists of the Nagkaisa labor coalition today held a forum then a rally against the zero subsidy in the proposed General Appropriations Act. “In the 2025 national budget, there is zero subsidy for Philhealth but full subsidy for trapos in the form of AKAP, AICS, TUPAD and confidential funds,” stated Judy Miranda, Partido Manggagawa (PM) secretary general.

 

PM is demanding a “veto, restore and reform”: Veto the bicam version of the GAA; Restore the subsidy for Philhealth; Reform the system through the resignation of Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and a revamp of the Philhealth board. Aside from the restoration of the Philhealth subsidy, PM is also asking for the removal of confidential funds not just for OVP of Sara Duterte but for all other agencies including the OP.

 

The activities today are buildup for a big rally on Wednesday, December 18. Tomorrow, Nagkaisa is launching a press conference to air its demands.

 

PM slammed the Congressional bicameral conference committee for not allocating any subsidy for Philhealth. “It is the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte and all other officials that must be taken out, not support for health insurance of workers and the people. Zero subsidy for Philhealth, NO! Zero budget for confidential funds, YES!,” asserted Miranda.

 

However, the group added this is also partly the fault of Secretary Herbosa. PM called for the resignation of Herbosa for his failure to make good on commitments to improve Philhealth benefits for its members, many of whom are workers. “Sectary Herbosa should step down since he cannot do his job and make good on his promises. He committed to increasing by 50% across-the-board hike in Philhealth benefits which has not materialized. Philhealth has excess funds since it is scrimping on benefits. Herbosa, Alis dyan!,” Miranda asked.

 

PM’s demand for Herbosa’s resignation is part of the group’s advocacy for quality public services. PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women.

Press Release

December 16, 2024

Labor group slams zero Philhealth subsidy and asks for resignation of DoH Secretary

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the Congressional bicameral conference committee for not allocating any subsidy for Philhealth in the 2025 national budget. “It is the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte and all other officials that must be taken out, not support for health insurance of workers and the people. Zero subsidy for Philhealth, NO! Zero budget for confidential funds, YES!,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and Marikina city councilor.

 

However, the group added this is also partly the fault of Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. PM called for the resignation of Herbosa for his failure to make good on commitments to improve Philhealth benefits for its members, many of whom are workers. “Sectary Herbosa should step down since he cannot do his job and make good on his promises. He committed to increasing by 50% across-the-board hike in Philhealth benefits which has not materialized. Philhealth has excess funds since it is scrimping on benefits. Herbosa, Alis dyan!,” stated Magtubo.

 

Philhealth announced a package of additional benefits for members last week. However, PM asserted that this falls short of the promised improved benefits that the DoH and Philhealth committed to during budget deliberations in Congress.

 

PM’s demand for Herbosa’s resignation is part of the group’s advocacy for quality public services. PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women.

 

PM’s call for Herbosa’s resignation follows the earlier demand of Agri partylist Representative Wilbert Lee. Magtubo averred that “A new DoH Secretary who is sincere in serving the people and delivers on promises would be a good Christmas gift to workers who deserve good governance and quality health services.”

 

Herbosa has also been criticized by other solons for lack of vaccines or expired ones in the DoH inventory. Last week the Commission on Audit flagged the DoH for P11 billion worth of vaccines, medicines and medical supplies which cannot be used anymore since they are past expiration dates.

 

“The wanton waste of people’s money is criminal. Resigning is the honorable thing to do. In other cultures, public officials even commit hara-kiri. But we don’t demand that. We only ask for better Health Secretaries who can do their jobs,” Magtubo explained.

Press Release

December 13, 2024

 

Labor party wants Laguesma out of DOLE

The Partido Manggagawa (PM) is issuing this statement, which calls for the resignation of Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, primarily because of his obstinate stand against the proposed legislated wage hike.

His strong opposition against this proposal, despite the regional wage boards’ failure to raise wages beyond the poverty threshold and to narrow down the gap between the minimum wage and living wage during the last 35 years, lay bare all the pretensions about the protection of labor rights and the government’s pledge to raise the Filipino families’ standard of living.  

By speaking against legislating wages, Laguesma dropped the workers in favor of employers. His concern about the economy becomes even clearer when he blocks wage growth, which is the workers’ only source of economic life.

We want him out of DOLE for he will never represent the working class. His background speaks more of him dealing with and lawyering for corporate owners aside from being one of the richest and highest paid officials in the Marcos Cabinet.

Partido Manggagawa

09 May 2024