Gatchalian: DOH should decide on fate of guarantee letters

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) should strike out the controversial use of guaranteed letters in medical aid programs through their own guidelines, not through provisions in the 2026 budget, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday.

Gatchalian said guarantee letters, which patients need to get from lawmakers, are requirements under the DOH's own guidelines to earn assistance under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients or MAIFIP program.

“Guarantee letters are part of the DOH’s process (and no law created the system). They don’t need legislation to remove that,” he pointed out.

Anti-corruption watchdogs said guarantee letters entrench patronage politics by making access to medical aid dependent on political endorsement rather than clear eligibility rules.

Watchdog groups have argued that guarantee letters allow politicians to claim credit for aid funded by taxpayers’ money.

Questions were raised over the non-explicit banning of guarantee letters under the “anti-epal” provision of the P6.793-trillion ratified 2026 national budget, which seeks to bar political involvement in the distribution of cash and other forms of financial aid.

Political branding, signage, jingles and other forms of promotion are also banned.

Stay active

Meanwhile, the DOH has advised the public to stay active to remain healthy and strong.

Cases of heart attack and brain stroke went up by five percent during the holiday season, the DOH said yesterday.

From Dec. 21 to 31, the DOH recorded 288 cases of heart attacks and brain strokes nationwide.

Thirty-one cases of heart attacks and brain strokes were reported yesterday, the DOH stressed.

“The number is five percent higher compared to 274 cases during the same period last year,” the agency pointed out.

People should exercise for at least 30 minutes up to 60 minutes daily, the DOH said. — Mayen Alquitran