Ive been following the news about the Supreme Court oral arguments on unprogrammed funds, and a recent statement from the Senate really stood out to me. There’s a challenge being thrown at the government's economic managers that basically asks: If you found a way to "sweep" bilyun-bilyong pondo from PhilHealth back in 2024 to fund other things, why is the answer always "walang pondo" when it comes to fuel relief for drivers and commuters?
Honestly, as someone who feels the pinch every time I top up my tank or see my grab fare surge, it’s a valid question that goes beyond just one politician's point of view. It’s about the "financial gymnastics" we see whenever the government wants to move money around for their own priorities, while the rest of us are told to just endure the rising costs of living.
Think about it, the Supreme Court even ruled that transferring those PhilHealth funds was unconstitutional, yet they managed to do it anyway. If that level of effort can be put into moving "excess" funds for unprogrammed appropriations, why can’t that same energy be used to find a lifeline for the transport and agriculture sectors?
It’s hard not to feel like we're being gaslighted. We are told the coffers are empty for subsidies that directly help the masses, but billions can suddenly be "found" or "swept" from a health fund when it fits a different agenda.
It’s not even about supporting a specific person in the Senate; it’s about the logic. If the money was there to be moved before, it's hard to believe it’s completely gone now that the people actually need it for fuel. Is it really a lack of funds, or just a lack of will to prioritize the sectors hit hardest by the oil crisis?