AGRI Party-list Representative Manoy Wilbert Lee, who is now vying for a Senate seat, shared his advocacies on healthcare and his experiences as a TV host during a meet-and-greet with entertainment reporters on January 20.
During the event, Lee emphasized his ongoing efforts to improve PhilHealth benefits, a mission he started after exposing billions of pesos in funds allegedly mishandled by the agency in September 2023.
“Sino po ba dito ang may PhilHealth? Nararamdaman ba ninyo yung tulong o naliliitan kayo? Ang gusto natin, dagdagan pa nila at palawakin yung ino-offer nilang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan, hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na kapag member ka ng PhilHealth, para ka na ring may hawak na health card,” Lee explained.
Lee highlighted the plight of many Filipinos burdened by healthcare expenses, noting that his office receives 5,000 to 7,000 daily messages on Facebook seeking medical assistance.
“Tungkulin nating mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan. Ang gusto nating baguhing kalakaran, hindi na kailangan magmakaawa ng mga Pilipino sa mga politiko para lang makabili ng gamot at makapagpagamot,” he said.
Lee’s relentless advocacy for healthcare reform, including his high-profile confrontation at the Department of Health (DOH) budget hearing on September 25, 2024, has resulted in significant improvements in PhilHealth coverage. These include:
- A 95% increase in coverage for over 9,000 case rates.
- Implementation of free eye check-ups, glasses, and cataract operations.
- Expansion of dialysis and breast cancer treatment benefits.
- Inclusion of heart disease and kidney transplant coverage.
- Rollout of outpatient emergency care services.
Before entering politics, Lee built his family’s small business in Sorsogon into the LKY Group of Companies, which spans industries such as food, real estate, mall development, and hospitality, employing over 3,000 people nationwide.
In 2024, Lee hosted the GMA Network public service program “Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko”, alongside Gelli de Belen, Patricia Tumulak, and Sherilyn Reyes-Tan. The show showcased modern-day bayanihan, offering assistance to Filipinos in need. When asked about the possibility of the show’s return, Lee hinted at a post-election comeback.
“Pwede po siguro after elections, dahil ipinagbabawal din po ito (habang nasa kampanya). Saka may programa man po tayo o wala, tuloy po ang pagtulong natin,” he said.
As he campaigns for a Senate seat, Lee underscored that healthcare will be his top priority, with a mission to provide free medicine and medical services for all Filipinos.
“Ang pinagsisikapan natin, libreng gamot at pagpapagamot para sa bawat Pilipino. Sinimulan at ginagawa na po natin ito ngayon sa Kongreso, at kung papalarin, itutuloy natin ito sa Senado. Ang ipinaglalaban ko: Gamot Mo, Sagot Ko! Laban natin itong lahat, samahan nyo po ako,” Lee declared.
