The P60-billion fund earmarked for PhilHealth’s operations cannot be sourced from assets recovered from the controversial flood control scam, lawmakers emphasized, as the allocation has already been included in the proposed 2026 national budget, RH Milky Rigonan reports.

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said the Supreme Court has clearly directed that the P60 billion be included in the 2026 budget, and any failure by Malacañang and Congress to comply would constitute a violation of the Court’s ruling.

Garin made the statement in response to proposals suggesting that the funds could be sourced from amounts recovered from public officials and contractors implicated in the flood control scandal.

The Deputy Speaker explained that the purpose of this allocation is to ensure that the money of PhilHealth members is restored, rather than having to look for funds from other uncertain sources. She added that the allocation is guaranteed by law.

Garin further noted that before the Supreme Court’s directive, President Bongbong Marcos had instructed Congress on September 20 to include the P60 billion in the proposed 2026 budget, a move subsequently supported by the Senate.

Garin also highlighted that the investigation into anomalies in flood control projects is expected to take years, and relying on recovered funds from these cases could compromise the benefits of PhilHealth members.