Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma face complaints.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said he is ready to face charges on the transfer of P60-billion funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Members of the Save the Philippines Coalition filed graft, plunder, technical malversation, and grave misconduct complaints against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma. This is related to the transfer of PHP 60 billion from the state health insurer to the national treasury.
Complainants include Irene Ann C. Caballes, Elmer B. Jugalbot, Gerlyn Acedo Ogong, Emerita C. Pecson, Susan S. Villar, Mussolini S. Lidasan, Jose Jessie Olivar, and Jaime L. Miralles.
The group alleged that the fund transfer was a violation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (
PhilHealth
) charter and the Universal Health Care law, which stated that reserve funds should go to “the expansion of benefits of the members or the reduction of the contributions.”
The transfer was made in line with Special Provision No. 1 (d) of XLIII of the General Appropriations Act of 2024, and Department of Finance Circular No. 003-204.
Recto was the finance secretary when the fund transfer happened in 2024. Regarding the raps, the former finance secretary expressed that he would “fully cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman.”
“I respect every citizen’s right to seek redress before the courts and will fully cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman during the conduct of preliminary investigation. I welcome the opportunity to clarify the issues raised by the Save the Philippines Coalition, with representation by the Office of the Solicitor General,”
he said.
As the investigation moves, he will accordingly continue to focus on his work in Malacañang and not be distracted by the political noise.