Day 5 of the Supreme Court oral arguments on the PhilHealth fund transfer today. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto kicks off the session with an opening statement, noting that the Department of Finance found that PhilHealth had excess, unused, and idle money "amounted to a staggering P183.1 billion, which are unrestricted." @here

"Base sa GAA2024, under the unprogrammed appropriations, P183.1 billion po and maaring ibalik ng PhilHealth sa National Treasury. Yet, the DOF exercised a prudent and moral decision to limit the return to the excess, idle, and unused government subsidies from 2021 to 2023 because we did not want to touch the hard-earned contributions of the PhilHealth members," Recto said.

"This is how we ended up in determining the P89.9 billion of excess, idle, and unused government subsidies sleeping in PhilHealth's bank na binabayaran ng ating mga taxpayer ng P5 billion na interest habang natutulog."

Discussions at the Supreme Court now turn to the PhilHealth funds' role in unprogrammed appropriations, if it is proper that PhilHealth's funds was tapped when measures in place to ensure that the state insurer's money should only be used for healthcare.

Recto jumps in and says that the remitted funds from PhilHealth are used for health-related matters as well, including the P27 billion owed to COVID frontliners and the enhancement of health facilities.

"As much as possible ginastos natin ang pera from health to health," the finance secretary said.

MALIGAYANG PAGDATING, AIR CANADA!

Air Canada's inaugural flight from Vancouver (AC17) is welcomed to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with a water cannon salute. The Canadian flag carrier used its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the "Congratulations" livery for the maiden flight.

Starting today, April 3, Air Canada will offer nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver thrice a week. The airline will then fly this transpacific route four times a week by May. @here

BREAKING: The Philippines’ inflation rate falls further to 1.8% in March 2025 from 2.1% in February 2025. | via @Tatiana Maligro

FULL STORY: Inflation in the Philippines continued to slow to 1.8% in March as vegetable, meat, and rice prices subsided, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports. https://www.rappler.com/business/inflation-rate-philippines-march-2025/

BREAKING: The Philippines’ unemployment rate drops to 3.8% in February 2025, equivalent to 1.94 million Filipinos.

That is lower than the 4.3% or 2.16 million Filipinos in January 2025, but higher than the 3.5% or 1.80 million Filipinos in February 2024.

Cebu Pacific bans use of power banks during flights ✈️ @here

The budget carrier on Tuesday, April 8, said that while power banks (up to 100Wh) are still allowed as hand-carry items, passengers can no longer use and/or charge them during flights "for safety reasons." Power banks and spare lithium batteries must be in the passengers' pockets or placed in the seat pocket in front of them; placing power banks in the overhead bin or under the seat is prohibited.

"They must be hand-carried and packed securely—tape the terminals, use original boxes, or place them in plastic bags or pouches to avoid any risks while flying," Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

JUST IN: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas cuts the country's benchmark rate by 25 basis points, bringing key interest rates to 5.5%. @here

LOOK: The DOTr — through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Civil Aeronautics Board — issues a show cause order to Philippine Airlines after it received reports that PAL failed to assist passengers of PR102 after landing in Japan here

The flight bound for Los Angeles was diverted to Haneda Airport earlier today after one of the two air conditioning units of the aircraft started emitting smoke.

“Upon landing, it was noted that no ground personnel or transport support were available to assist the passengers,” the order read.

The flag carrier has until 4 pm to respond.

JUST IN: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law a measure extending Meralco's franchise for another 25 years, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed.

Marcos signed the law granting Meralco's franchise extension on Friday, April 11. @here