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788 Phil. 415
EN BANC
[ G.R. No. 210761, June 28, 2016 ]
KILUSANG MAYO UNO, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON,
ELMER LABOG; NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONSKILUSANG MAYO UNO, REPRESENTED BY ITS VICE-PRESIDENTS,
REDEN ALCANTARA AND ARNOLD DELA CRUZ, CENTER FOR TRADE
UNION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (CTUHR), REPRESENTED BY ITS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAISY ARAGO, VIRGINIA FLORES AND
VIOLETA ESPIRITU, PETITIONERS, VS. HON. BENIGNO SIMEON C.
AQUINO III, AND PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION
(PHIC), RESPONDENTS,
MIGRANTE INTERNATIONAL, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRPERSON
GARRY MARTINEZ, CONNIE BRAGAS-REGALADO, PARALUMAN
CATUIRA, UNITED FILIPINOS IN HONGKONG (UNIFIL-HK), AND
SOLEDAD PILLAS, PETITIONERS-IN-INTERVENTION.
DECISION
BRION, J.:
This is a petition for certiorari assailing PhilHealth Circular Nos. 0027,[1] 0025,[2]
and 0024,[3] all series of 2013. The circulars, which adjusted the premium
contribution rates for the National Health Insurance Program, were allegedly issued
with grave abuse of discretion.
ANTECEDENTS
In the 1987 Constitution, the State adopted an integrated and comprehensive approach
to health development.[4] It also undertook to make essential goods and medical
services available to the public at a low cost, and to provide free medical care to
paupers.
On February 7, 1995, Congress passed Republic Act No. 7875, the National Health
Insurance Act (NHIA), establishing the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP/the
Program) and creating the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (the
Corporation/PhilHealth) to administer the Program. The Program covers all citizens of
the Philippines in accordance with the principles of universality and compulsory
coverage.[5]
PhilHealth is a government corporation attached to the Department of Health (DOH) for
policy coordination and guidance.[6] Among its notable powers and functions are:
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/62083
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