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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Recto vows to cooperate with Ombudsman on probe over P60-B PhilHealth fund transfer

Recto vows to cooperate with Ombudsman on probe over P60-B PhilHealth fund transfer

Published Dec 22, 2025 11:22 am
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said he will fully cooperate in the investigation over technical malversation, plunder, and grave misconduct complaints filed against him at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Save the Philippines Coalition has filed the complaints against Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., over the transfer of P60 billion in PhilHealth reserve funds to the National Treasury.
In a statement on Monday, Dec. 22, Recto said he respects the filing of the complaints and welcomes the opportunity to clarify the issues.
"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," Recto said.
"With the able representation by the Solicitor General, I welcome the opportunity to clarify the issues, prove my innocence, and debunk the allegations put forthl," he added.
The Executive Secretary, however, said he will not be distracted by political noise.
"Nevertheless, I will not get distracted by political noise. The work of improving government performance and services is my priority. I will let my lawyers address those issues," Recto said.
He also reiterated his innocence and emphasized that, according to the Supreme Court, there is no criminal liability that may attach to him.
"But let me 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.
"In my more than 30 years in government, this is the first case of such kind that I have confronted, and view it as part of public service," he added.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the return of the P60-billion excess funds to PhilHealth.

Related Tags

Ralph G. Recto PhilHealth Ombudsman Save the Philippines Coalition
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