Executive Sec. Ralph Recto Reacts To Complaints Filed against him, Ex-PhilHealth Pres. Emmanuel Ledesma
RALPH RECTO – The Executive Secretary reiterated his alleged “innocence” on the issue surrounding the P60-billion PhilHealth fund transfer.
Recently, a group of doctors, health advocates, and lawyers filed technical malversation, graft, and plunder complaints against Recto and former PhilHealth President and Chief-Executive-Officer Emmanuel Ledesma. The complaints are over the transfer of the P60-billion funds of PhilHealth to the national treasury.
Before he was appointed as the executive secretary, Recto was the chief of the Finance department. He replaced former E.S. Manuel Bonoan after Bonoan was tagged in the flood control mess and the Palace announced his resignation.
The graft, plunder, and malversation complaints filed against Executive Sec. Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth Pres. Emmanuel Ledesma were made before the Office of the Ombudsman today. The complainants also filed administrative complaint over the alleged grave misconduct of the P60 billion PhilHealth fund transfer to the national treasury.
According to Rodel Taton, one of the complainants, former Finance Sec. Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth Pres. Emmanuel Ledesma had power over the P60 billion funds of the state health insurer that was transferred to the national treasury. He claimed that the public funds were allegedly not used for which they were allocated for.
“Sinabi nga sa Supreme Court decision that here, there is an action by the secretary of finance that is void because it violates the existing laws or it is tantamount to amendment of existing laws,” Taton expressed.
The Supreme Court declared the decision to transfer the PhilHealth fund to the national treasury as “void” and ordered the return of the public funds through specific items in the 2026 national budget.
“The law is clear as it provides that certain portion of Reserve Funds of Philhealth not needed to meet its current expenditure obligations shall be invested in short-term interest-bearing investments,” the complaint reads.
Recently, Executive Sec. Ralph Recto reacted to the filing of complaints against him and former PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma. Based on a post of News5 on social media, the former Finance Secretary reiterated his alleged “innocence” over the matter saying that the court has already addressed it.
Furthermore, based on the post, Recto also stressed that he is not responsible for any criminal liability over the matter as ruled by the Supreme Court. According to him, he acted upon the order of the Congress then.
“Let me also reiterate my 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,” Recto said.
Executive Sec. Ralph Recto also expressed his confidence that the facts and law are clear. He believes that the appropriate institutions will exercise fairness in evaluating the allegations.
Following the ceremonial signing of the proposed budget last January 5, Malacañang previous expressed the stance of the Marcos Jr. administration on the 2026 national budget approved by the President.