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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Nothing but a nuisance': Recto maintains he has no criminal liability over PhilHealth funds

'Nothing but a nuisance': Recto maintains he has no criminal liability over PhilHealth funds

Published May 25, 2026 04:15 pm
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto reiterated that he has no criminal liability in the transfer of P60 billion in PhilHealth reserve funds to the National Treasury, describing the plunder charges filed against him as a ‘nuisance and harassment case.’"
"This is nothing but a nuisance and a harassment case. And it should not be tossed aside gently. It should be thrown out with great force," Recto said in a statement on Monday, May 25.
This followed the move of physician and public health advocate Tony Leachon to file plunder and technical malversation charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Recto and several Cabinet officials over the alleged diversion of P60 billion in PhilHealth reserve funds.
Recto reiterated that the transfer was mandated by law under the General Appropriations Act of 2024, adding that Congress then directed Department of Finance to do so.
"The Supreme Court justices themselves said that I have no criminal liability because I 'simply followed the law and implemented it in good faith'," Recto said.
Quoting several Associate Justice, Recto underscored that his actions as then Finance Secretary was executed pursuant to the law and that he was only fulfilling his legal duty.
Meanwhile, Malacañang respects the filing of the case, saying it is everyone's right.
"Lahat naman ng tao ay may karapatan na magsampa ng kaso, ang tanong na lamang diyan ay ito ba ay mananalo o ito ba ay madi-dismiss? So, hintayin na lang po natin (Everyone has the right to file a case. The only question is whether it will win or whether it will be dismissed. So, let’s just wait)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said when sought for a statement in a Palace briefing on Monday.
READ: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/25/leachon-files-plunder-technical-malversation-raps-vs-recto-cabinet-officials-over-philhealth-pdic-funds

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Executive Secretary Ralph Recto Tony Leachon PhilHealth funds Plunder case
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