Manila: Senators have raised alarm over the sharp increase in the proposed 2026 budget for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), warning that it could weaken the country's push for universal, system-based healthcare and entrench political patronage.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito submitted a manifestation to the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 national budget, questioning the jump in MAIFIP funding from PHP24.23 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to PHP51.6 billion in the bicameral version. Ejercito expressed concerns that this increase risks turning access to healthcare into a politically mediated process, which runs counter to the intent of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act that aims for automatic and dignified access to medical services.

Ejercito, who was unable to attend the bicameral meeting due to illness, urged lawmakers to channel additional health funds directly to the health system rather than expanding the MAIFIP. He suggested allocating the increased budget directly to PhilHealth or hospitals implementing zero balance billing.

Senator Panfilo Lacson also voiced his concerns, stating he would not sign the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 budget unless the MAIFIP provision was corrected. Lacson emphasized the importance of consolidating health-related funds under the UHC framework to ensure the full implementation of the law. He warned that guarantee letters issued by politicians would only foster patronage politics rather than meet the healthcare needs of Filipinos, particularly the indigent population.

Lacson also pointed out that MAIFIP has long been susceptible to political patronage, as it allows government officials to issue guarantee letters for indigent patients. He proposed Senate Bill No. 404, which seeks to place MAIFIP firmly under the UHC Act and penalize any political exploitation of the program.

Both senators stressed that access to medical assistance should be automatic and system-driven, ensuring that healthcare is not dependent on political discretion, especially for the poor and those vulnerable to falling into poverty due to illness.