Senator Bong Go has called for a review of the circumstances surrounding a viral social media post by Maria Lourdes Sulit, who questioned why her late husband was reportedly denied Philippine Health Insurance Corporation benefits following an emergency hospitalization.
In a statement, Go said it was important to determine the facts behind Sulit’s claim that her husband was unable to access PhilHealth coverage after being confined for less than 24 hours.
Sulit’s post gained widespread attention after she recounted how her husband, Marvin, died from a brain hematoma on June 4, 2026. According to her account, the family was unable to proceed with a life-saving operation after being told that substantial hospital payments were required.
She later said she was informed that her husband was not eligible for PhilHealth benefits because he had been hospitalized for less than 24 hours. Sulit argued that her husband had contributed to PhilHealth for more than 25 years and questioned why benefits were unavailable following his death.
The widow’s story also drew attention because it coincided with a major family milestone. A day after Marvin’s death, Sulit’s daughter graduated from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, leaving the family to cope with both grief and celebration within the span of two days.
Sen. Bong Go said PhilHealth should clarify whether the 24-hour confinement rule remains applicable in situations involving emergency care and urged the agency to explain the circumstances behind the reported denial.
PhilHealth has since said it has reached out to the Sulit family, expressed its sympathies, and is coordinating with the hospitals involved to review the case. The agency said it is exploring possible avenues of support while examining the circumstances raised in the widow’s complaint.
