THE Supreme Court (SC) has rescheduled the oral arguments on the petitions challenging the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) fund transfer to the National Treasury, the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), and the Maharlika Investment Fund.
SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the decision resetting the schedules was reached by the magistrates during their en banc session Tuesday.
Ting, however, did not say why the schedules were postponed.
Ting said the next oral arguments on the PhilHealth fund transfer will be held on April 2 and 3. Another hearing will be held on April 4 if additional time is needed by the magistrates for further questioning.
The en banc started its oral arguments on the case last February 4.
The legality of the PhilHealth fund transfer was questioned by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares, and the 1Sambayan Coalition led by retired SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
Oral arguments on the 2025 national budget were moved to May 19, while hearings on the Maharlika fund will resume on July 8 and 9.
The hearing on the national budget issue was originally set on April 1, while the oral arguments on the Maharlika funds was scheduled on April 22.
Former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab challenged the validity of the 2025 GAA and asked the High Court to stop its implementation over alleged questionable blanks in the bicameral budget committee report that was ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
On the other hand, Pimentel, Colmenares, and former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate questioned the constitutionality of the law creating the Maharlika fund.
Ting said the oral arguments on the PhilHealth case will be held in Baguio City where the magistrates will be holding its summer session, while the hearings on the 2025 GAA and Maharlika fund will take place in Manila.
