The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) board underwent a reshuffle during the low-scrutiny period of Holy Week. Officials used SEC Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2026, and the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Expert Reclassification Program to replace sectoral representatives with an Expert Panel. Critics have questioned the lack of transparency in the move.
The PhilHealth board reshuffle occurred during Holy Week, a time of traditionally low public and media attention. The change replaced sectoral representatives from labor, employers, and beneficiaries with an Expert Panel, citing the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) restructuring plan and SEC Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2026, which imposes term limits on directors.
New appointees include UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee for the employer’s group and epidemiologist John Wong for the expert panel. The Department of Health posted a video of their oath-taking on April 6, after Holy Week.
The administration stated the move addresses long-standing issues like fraudulent claims, outdated workforce structures, and fragmented data to streamline decision-making. Critics, however, question why it was done with minimal publicity, raising concerns over transparency in managing billions in public funds.
This comes amid PhilHealth’s P129.8 billion allocation in the 2026 National Budget, following a December 2025 Supreme Court ruling that deemed the transfer of P89.9 billion in funds unconstitutional and ordered the return of P60 billion. Critics warn it could erode trust from the private sector, which provides 60% of premiums estimated at P177.7 billion in 2025.
