Eric Noel Escueta-Cantero

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DR. TONY LEACHON: DOH Should Seek at Least ₱600 Billion for PhilHealth

The Marcos Cabinet is reviewing the proposed 2027 national budget. But let us be clear: ₱300 billion for PhilHealth is not enough.

The Supreme Court has already spoken—declaring unconstitutional the diversion of ₱60 billion from PhilHealth’s reserve funds in 2024. In 2025, PhilHealth received zero subsidy, creating a ₱330‑billion gap. By 2026, hospitals faced liquidity crises and patients bore the brunt of unpaid claims.

This is not just about numbers. It is about justice, legality, and the moral duty to protect our people. The Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223) mandates government financing for vulnerable groups—senior citizens, indigents, persons with disabilities. Chronic underfunding has betrayed that promise.

₱600 billion is not aspirational—it is corrective. It is the minimum needed to settle arrears, restore trust, and ensure that health care is not hostage to political expediency.

The lesson is urgent: health care is a right, not a privilege. For PhilHealth to truly embody universal health care, the government must act decisively—fund it adequately, insulate it from diversion, and honor its obligations to every Filipino.

Tony Leachon

Metro Manila's link to the rest of Luzon.

$9-billion Manila Subway breakthrough: Bicutan 'megahub' land handed over — hardest part is making it all connect Bicutan emerges as a megahub in Manila’s $9-billion subway, unlocking track-sharing with NSCR and future links to NAIA and major business centres.

UPDATE on Maharlika Investment Fund

Early payout from Philippines’ Maharlika Investment Fund raises eyebrows over its true nature High dividend payment by 3-year-old sovereign fund poses questions as to whether it is a stopgap source of fiscal support Read more at The Business Times.

We preserve our freedom in keeping the faith taught by our heroes (Rizal, Bonifacio, Hen. Antonio Luna etc.)

The Arbitral Award of 2016 is a testament that Filipinos then and now know freedom to self determination is INDEPENDENCE.

Upholding the Philippines 🇵🇭 sovereignty 👍

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Nanawagan ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa iba pang mga lokal na pamahalaan na ideklara ang Hulyo 12 bilang West Philippine Sea Victory Day, kasunod ng mga hakbang ng Cebu City at Labrador, Pangasinan upang gunitain ang 2016 arbitral victory ng Pilipinas laban sa malawakang pag-aangkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea.

Ayon kay AFP Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Ret. Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, suportado ng militar ang inisyatibang ito dahil nakatutulong itong palakasin ang kamalayan ng publiko sa legal at moral na tagumpay ng bansa, gayundin ang pagpapahalaga sa 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award.

Binigyang-diin din ng AFP na ang paggunita ay pagkilala sa mga sundalo at personnel na patuloy na nagtatanggol sa maritime interests ng Pilipinas, habang hinihikayat ang iba pang LGU at Kongreso na isulong ang taunang pagdiriwang sa buong bansa.