Photo credit: Senate PH

Recent Senate deliberations on PhilHealth’s budget cast a glaring spotlight on the institution’s inefficiencies, unspent funds, and the questionable leadership of its President, Emmanuel Ledesma.

Tasked with defending the agency’s budget, Ledesma’s dismissive responses to legitimate questions raised by Senator JV Ejercito, along with his condescending demeanor, have only deepened public frustration.

When pressed about PhilHealth’s staggering ₱89.8 billion in unspent funds, Ledesma deflected responsibility by blaming his predecessors, claiming that the surplus accumulated over the years.

This attempt to spare himself from accountability misses the point entirely. Even if true, why did Ledesma fail to prioritize spending these "excess funds" during his tenure?

This inaction, while millions of Filipinos struggle to pay for medical and hospital bills, reflects a failure of leadership.

We agree with Senator Ejercito that PhilHealth has committed a grave disservice to millions of Filipinos. The agency's mandate is to provide accessible healthcare, particularly for the poor and not to prioritize savings.Leaving billions of pesos unused while many of our kababayans are unable to afford basic healthcare is a betrayal of this mission.

Ledesma appears entirely disconnected from the spirit and intent behind PhilHealth's establishment—to help the poor with their health requirements.

Leadership, especially in an institution as vital as PhilHealth, requires action, humility, and a focus on solutions. It is not about finger-pointing but taking ownership of the current challenges and presenting a clear roadmap for reform.

Ledesma failed to use the Senate hearing as an opportunity to articulate a vision for PhilHealth—how it plans to utilize funds effectively, address gaps in healthcare access, and rebuild public trust.

As discussed in our previous columns, PhilHealth’s services, including coverage for inpatient and outpatient care, maternity care, and catastrophic illnesses, are critical to millions of Filipinos.

Yet, accessing these benefits remains an uphill battle for many due to convoluted procedures, lack of member education, and delays in reimbursements.

These challenges are compounded by the public’s lack of understanding of their entitlements under PhilHealth.

Educating members about their benefits and simplifying procedures must become immediate priorities. Issuing a few press releases is insufficient; PhilHealth must invest in sustained outreach, particularly in marginalized communities where healthcare access is most critical.

Streamlining the claims process, leveraging technology, and ensuring prompt payments to hospitals and healthcare providers are also crucial steps.

Equally important is fostering empathy. As the head of an agency that millions of Filipinos depend on, Ledesma must shed the detachment of privilege and immerse himself in the realities of those he serves.

The struggles of PhilHealth members—especially those in underserved regions—are worlds away from the comforts of a gated community, well-tailored suit or a fashionable barong tagalog. Genuine leadership requires understanding these struggles and addressing them with urgency.

PhilHealth’s failure to prosecute those who defraud the system has also eroded public trust. Strengthening its legal unit to pursue cases against fraudsters, including those within its ranks, must be a priority.

Without visible consequences for wrongdoers, the culture of corruption and inefficiency will persist.

The millions of Filipinos relying on PhilHealth deserve a better leader who prioritizes accountability, empathy, and effective solutions.

Sadly, Emmanuel Ledesma has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not that leader. His lack of urgency, arrogance, failure to utilize available funds, and apparent disconnect from the mission of PhilHealth make it clear he is unfit to steer this critical agency.

It is time for a leadership change, one that will finally bring PhilHealth back to its core mission: delivering accessible and reliable healthcare to the Filipino people. Our poor kababayans have suffered enough—they deserve a leader they can truly depend on.

We urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take decisive action and replace Ledesma with someone who has the dedication, competence, empathy, and humility needed to reform PhilHealth and restore its credibility. The health and well-being of millions of Filipinos depend on it.

Ed Javier

Ed Javier is a veteran communicator with over 34 years of professional experience both in the private and public sectors. He is also an entrepreneur, political analyst, newspaper columnist, broadcast and on-line journalist.