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MANILA, Philippines — While Congress has stripped the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) of government subsidies in 2025, four in five Filipinos say they would vote for a Senate candidate who seeks to bring it back, according to a recent noncommissioned survey.
In the Philippine Public Opinion Monitor’s first issue, independent research firm WR Numero reported on Thursday, March 6, that 80% of Filipinos “would vote for a Senate candidate who supports government subsidies for PhilHealth.”
Meanwhile, only 7% opposed backing a candidate with this stance, while 13% remained on the fence.
Among the 1,814 Filipinos surveyed nationwide, PhilHealth funding emerged as the top policy concern. Close behind was the public’s preference for a Senate bet prioritizing the country’s education crisis, with 67% expressing support for this platform.
Rounding out the top three concerns was the rising cost of food and other essential goods, with more than half of respondents saying they would vote for candidates focused on addressing economic challenges.
PhilHealth's 2025 budget became a major point of contention, drawing intense public scrutiny and prompting a petition challenging the constitutionality of allocating zero funds.
What government funding means for PhilHealth
As a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), PhilHealth relies on national government funding to cover premium contributions for indirect contributors, such as qualified indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.
PhilHealth also collects premium contributions from direct contributors, including formally employed workers, overseas Filipino workers, household helpers, self-earning individuals, and professionals.
These contributions serve as the primary source of its corporate operating budget, which amounts to P284 billion in 2025.
RELATED: PhilHealth to run on P284 billion budget in 2025, even without gov't subsidy
However, after congressional budget hearings on PhilHealth’s fund utilization, lawmakers discovered that the state insurer had around P500 billion in reserves — nearly double the P281-billion fund ceiling, which is equivalent to two years' worth of operating expenses.
This prompted lawmakers to scrap PhilHealth’s government subsidy, arguing that its surplus reserves should be used to cover benefit claims and increase case rates. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also defended this decision.
During a House health committee hearing on January 15, lawmakers pointed out that the expansion of benefit packages could be funded not only by surplus reserves but also by other sources, with total available funds reaching about P759 billion.
RELATED: PhilHealth can tap P759B from funding sources for benefit expenses — solon
What this means in the elections
Ultimately, Congress holds the power to determine budget allocations for government agencies, GOCCs and their programs.
With the 2025 midterm elections approaching — and some incumbent lawmakers who approved the zero subsidy for PhilHealth seeking reelection — how they respond to these survey findings could be pivotal.
WR Numero CEO and President Cleve Arguelles said at a press briefing that the survey results likely reflect the issues most pressing for Filipinos, such as concerns over rising inflation and the PhilHealth budget.
He added that candidates' positions on these matters could play a key role in how the 2025 elections would turn out.
"What we’re learning is that the PhilHealth budget is a key election issue for ordinary Filipinos. Reelectionists in Congress may become vulnerable to a protest vote if voters decide on election day to make them accountable for their support to defund PhilHealth," Arguelles told Philstar.com in a message.
The research firm's survey was conducted from February 10 to 18 using face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews, with a ±2% national margin of error and a 95% confidence level.
