New PhilHealth chief Dr. Edwin M. Mercado
Lee welcomes appointment of new PhilHealth chief
AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee welcomed the appointment of Dr. Edwin M. Mercado as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Lee conveyed optimism that under Dr. Mercado’s leadership, PhilHealth will continue to enhance and broaden its benefits.
“We hope that the new leadership of PhilHealth under Dr. Edwin Mercado will not only continue but also fast-track its benefits enhancements that we have been fighting for for more than a year now,” he said.
“Umaasa tayo na sa pamumuno ni Dr. Mercado, magpapatuloy ang pakikiisa at pagtupad ng PhilHealth sa ipinaglaban natin na commitment para mapababa ang gastos sa pagpapa-ospital ng mga Pilipino, hanggang makamit natin ang libreng gamot at pagpapagamot,” he added.
Lee highlighted the importance of Mercado’s extensive background in both medical practice and healthcare management.
“We hope that Dr. Mercado will use his comprehensive understanding of the healthcare landscape to address the challenges that PhilHealth face. Patuloy tayong magbabantay at mangangalampag sa liderato ng PhilHealth at Department of Health, dahil hindi pa rin po natin hahayaan ang mabagal na dagdag benepisyo, at maulit na naman ang zero subsidy sa ahensya,” the Bicolano lawmaker stressed.
Lee also expressed gratitude to former President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. for his cooperation and for heeding his call to increase PhilHealth benefits since its case rate has not been updated for over a decade and no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay former PCEO Mandy Ledesma sa pakikiisa niya sa ating panawagan na dagdagan at palawakin ang mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth. Sa pamumuno niya, nasimulang gamitin ang natuklasan nating bilyon-bilyong pondo ng PhilHealth, at matagumpay na naipatupad ang mga dagdag na benepisyong kailangang-kailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Ang kahandaan niyang makinig at pagiging kaisa natin sa ipinaglaban nating commitment para mapababa ang gastos ng ating mga Pilipino sa pagpapa-ospital ay isang napakahalagang hakbang para maabot ang pangarap nating libreng gamot at pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Lee was the first to expose in September 2023 that PhilHealth had enormous available funds amounting to more than P500 billion, aside from the more than P100 billion government subsidy every year.
He previously successfully pushed for a 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits, which was implemented last February 2024.
The solon’s consistent calls for better healthcare benefits also paved the way for another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits which started this 2025, free dialysis, free eye check-up and prescription glasses for ages 0-15, free dental care, expanded coverage for breast cancer treatment, new benefit package for kidney transplant and heart ailments, and outpatient emergency care services, among others.
Lee is continuing to advocate for further enhancements to PhilHealth’s benefits package under Mercado’s leadership.
“These initiatives are crucial steps toward reducing the financial burden of healthcare on Filipino families. By expanding PhilHealth’s coverage and benefits, we can ensure that more Filipinos receive the medical attention they need without the fear of financial hardship,” Lee pointed out.
“Hindi natin tatantanan ang pangangalampag at paniningil sa DOH at PhilHealth upang agarang maipatupad at mapagtibay ang mga repormang pangkalusugan para magpalit man ng liderato o administrasyon ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pagdaragdag ng mga benepisyo hanggang maging libre na ang gamot at pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino. Ang layunin ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko!” he added.
