MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has called out her brother President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after it slashed the subsidy of state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

In a statement, Imee has called out her brother for the lack of details and explanation as to why the  state insurer received zero subsidy under the proposed 2025 national budget.

”Walang mga detalye o paliwanag, ni walang konkretong numero. Ang tanging hawak ko ay ang ilang datos ng DSWD na talagang nilapastangan, lalo na itong PhilHealth,” Imee said Monday.

She later said that she did not sign any document related to the 2025 budget or its Bicameral Committee report that “advocates for reducing funds for legitimate projects in favor of the AKAP program,” which she has already opposed.

The bicameral conference committee approved the final version of the proposed P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget, which includes the restoration of P26 billion for the AKAP program, a one-time cash aid for low-income beneficiaries.

The chief executive later defended the decision to cut PhilHealth’s subsidy saying that the state insurer has enough reserve funds.

The President stated that PhilHealth has no budgetary issues, saying it has an estimated P500 billion reserve. The state insurer oversees health insurance and implements universal health care nationwide.

“Nakikiusap ako, pakitutukan mo ang isyu ng pondo at badyet; at ipaalala na ang pakikialam ng mga mambabatas sa ilang departamento at sangay ng gobyerno ay labag sa batas at sa konsensya ng tao,” Imee said.

The Office of the President is still reviewing the 2025 national budget but plans to sign it before Christmas.