MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged critics of the government’s medical assistance program to look at the bigger picture first, saying such programs are needed because public hospitals cannot accommodate more patients. Gatchalian, in an interview with radio station DZBB on Sunday, was asked about criticisms that, while possible pork borne out of infrastructure projects were removed in the proposed 2026 national budget, programs that supposedly promote patronage politics were kept and had their funding boosted. In response, Gatchalian said that government hospitals are being utilized beyond their capacity — almost 300 percent — forcing patients to go to […]... Keep on reading: Gatchalian tells MAIP critics: Look at bigger picture first