PhilHealth is omnipresent in every Filipino’s payslip, taking money whether workers like it or not. Yet in moments of greatest need, it often feels absent. That’s what happened in the viral case of Maria Lourdes Sulit. Her husband Marvin contributed for over 25 years. When he died of a brain hematoma, PhilHealth declined to cover their nearly ₱200,000 hospital bill. The reason: a technicality. He was confined for less than 24 hours. Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-0007, inpatient benefits require a 24-hour stay. But Circular No. 2025-0020 allows outpatient emergency benefits in cases ending in death within 24 hours. So which is it, then? Sulit’s case is yet another crack in a system already under strain. PhilHealth is mandatory under the Universal Health Care Law. Every Filipino is automatically enrolled, meaning every worker is required to contribute—regardless of income, preference, or private coverage. And that has long been a point of frustration. Ask any tito, tita, tropa, or kakilala, and a familiar story emerges: PhilHealth often covers only a fraction of the bill. Families still shoulder significant out-of-pocket expenses. Then come the administrative failures: the delays, the waiting, the stress on top of the hospitalization stresses. Private health maintenance organizations help fill some of the gap. But even they can only do so much, often still leaving families exposed to catastrophic expenses that the public system is supposed to cushion. And then, there’s the issue that refuses to go away: corruption. PhilHealth has been repeatedly drawn into controversies involving anomalous claims, questionable reimbursements, and fund management issues that have reached Congress and the courts. The latest one involved around ₱60 billion in excess funds—transferred to the national treasury. The Supreme Court later ruled that it’s unconstitutional, questioning whether health funds were being redirected away from their intended purpose. The money has since been restored to PhilHealth, but its image isn’t getting any better. To many, it remains an agency that collects mandatory contributions, yet Filipinos don't get what they pay for. Calls to abolish PhilHealth continue to surface. Let Filipinos keep their money. Rely on private insurance or personal means instead. It’s understandable—especially in cases like Sulit’s—but abolition without replacement risks dismantling the country’s only nationwide health risk pool. For all its flaws, PhilHealth remains the only attempt at universal coverage at scale. Removing it wouldn’t erase the need for protection. So the real issue is not just whether to abolish PhilHealth, but what must replace or radically reform it. Our Asian neighbors have made clearer choices. Thailand funds universal healthcare through general taxation, allowing patients to access care with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs. Malaysia heavily subsidizes public hospitals, keeping treatment affordable and predictable. South Korea operates a hybrid system where mandatory contributions are matched with reliable, structured coverage at the point of care. The Philippines remains stuck in between: compulsory contributions without guaranteed protection, universal enrollment without universal certainty. Now, the question is no longer whether PhilHealth should exist. Can it continue in its current form when the gap between contribution and protection remains this wide? Can Filipinos still afford to pay premiums to a system they cannot rely on in a life-and-death situation? Otherwise, PhilHealth only gives Filipinos hell.

Bumili ng 75-inch na TV ang lolo ni Bobet para sana mapanood niya ang kanyang apo na maglaro sa darating na UAAP season. Inutang pa raw niya ang ipinambili nito. Ganoon niya kamahal at ipinagmamalaki si Bobet. 🥺❤️‍🩹

UAAP COMMITS TO TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND JUSTICE IN AURORA INCIDENT As the UAAP continues to mourn the untimely passing of Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili on June 8, 2026 in Dipaculao, Aurora, the League continues to extend its heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, teammates, coaches, and the entire Ateneo community. We stand in solidarity with all those grieving this profound loss and join them in honoring the memory of two young lives taken too soon. As previously stated, the UAAP will fully take into account the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the concerned member school, as only limited details have been officially confirmed. The UAAP, however, is closely following all the developments surrounding this tragic incident and carefully reviewing the findings of the ongoing investigations as they come. When completed, all the relevant information will be referred for a full and fair review to the Rules and Disciplinary Committee, composed of representatives from the seven other member schools The safety, well-being, and holistic development of student-athletes are at the heart of the UAAP’s inherent mission. As a community of educational institutions, we are committed to learning from this tragedy and we will work together to strengthen safeguards that protect our student-athletes both on and off the field of play. Rest assured that the UAAP will: • Enforce sanctions in cases where there are breaches of established protocols, laws and regulations provided these sanctions are established through due process and in accordance with governance and disciplinary procedures. • Review and, if needed, revise existing rules and policies to further strengthen accountability, enhance student welfare, and uphold the highest standards of safety. • Promote and expand access to protective measures, mental health resources, and support services for student-athletes, coaches, and staff, while sustaining programs that foster camaraderie and communal well-being. This difficult moment has reminded us that the care and protection of our student athletes are paramount. Together, we remain committed to fostering a sporting environment grounded in safety, respect, accountability and genuine concern for the well-being of every member of the UAAP community.

29 November 2019 @epokquimps admits 61 year old Coach Tab Baldwin preys on students. Epok "it's a sickness". #tabbaldwin @ateneodemanilau

“Father Karel has announced that Ateneo de Davao University will be renaming the basketball court at the Senior High School in honor of Rene. RBCC — Rene Baterbonia Covered Court. What an incredible and meaningful tribute to a young man who inspired so many people through his humility, hard work, faith, and love for his family. Rene dreamed big despite having very little. He carried the pride of his family, his community, and Ateneo de Davao wherever he went. Now, generations of student-athletes will step onto that court and be reminded of his story, his sacrifices, and the dreams he chased with all his heart. Rene, your name will forever be part of Ateneo de Davao. Every practice, every game, every young athlete who steps onto the RBCC will remember the boy who proved that no dream is too big when you are willing to work for it. Congratulations, Rene. This court will stand as a reminder of the life you lived and the lives you continue to inspire. 💙🦅 RBCC — Rene Baterbonia Covered Court. Forever an Eagle. Forever our MVP.” – COACH JESS