Group files complaint vs. Recto, Ledesma over PhilHealth fund transfer

Save the Philippines Coalition on Monday filed a complaint against former Finance secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma over the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the national treasury.

GMA Integrated News' Saleema Refran reported the complaint for plunder, graft, technical malversation, and grave misconduct was filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.

To recall, PhilHealth was ordered to return P89.9 billion excess funds to the national treasury. Last year, it remitted P60 billion before the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order to halt the transfer of the remaining P29.9 billion.

The coalition said the basis for their complaint was the SC’s recent decision directing the government to return P60 billion excess funds transferred to the national treasury back to PhilHealth through the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

The SC had declared void the earlier transfer as well as Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 GAA and  Finance Circular No. 003-2024 for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

In a statement, Recto said that he respects the right of the citizens to seek redress before the courts and will fully cooperate with the Ombudsman during its preliminary investigation.

“With the able representation by the Solicitor General, I welcome the opportunity to clarify the issues, prove my innocence, and debunk the allegations put forth,” he said.

He reiterated his innocence "as opined by Supreme Court Justices, that no criminal liability may attach to me, as former Secretary of Finance, for acting in good faith and in accordance with a direct mandate from Congress in ordering the remittance of PhilHealth’s unused funds."

“I will not get distracted by political noise. The work of improving government performance and services is my priority,” he added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Ledesma and will publish his response once available. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News