RALPH RECTO KINASUHAN NG PLUNDER AT GRAFT SA OMBUDSMAN TUNGKOL SA PHILHEALTH.

Yesterday, December 22, 2025, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. were the subjects of a plunder and graft complaint filed by the Save the Philippines Coalition before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint centers on the unconstitutional transfer of ₱60 billion in "excess" PhilHealth reserve funds to the National Treasury in 2024.

Key Reasons for the Complaint
Violation of the PhilHealth Charter: The group alleges that the transfer violated the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 (RA 7875) and the Universal Health Care Law (RA 11223), which explicitly state that excess reserve funds must be used to increase member benefits or reduce contributions, not be reverted to the general fund.

Technical Malversation & Plunder: The complainants argue that Recto (as then-Finance Secretary) and Ledesma "willfully and maliciously" diverted funds intended for public health to other government projects (unprogrammed appropriations) to gain political patronage.

Supreme Court Ruling as Basis: The filing follows a landmark December 3, 2025, Supreme Court decision that declared the fund transfer unconstitutional and ordered the government to return the ₱60 billion to PhilHealth. While the Court did not rule on criminal liability, the coalition is using the "unconstitutional" finding to pursue criminal charges.


Injury to the Public: The complaint claims the act "risked the healthcare program of the entire nation" by stripping PhilHealth of its financial safety net during a period of critical need.

Recto’s Response
Secretary Recto has stated that he will "fully cooperate" with the Ombudsman. He maintains his innocence, citing that he acted in good faith to implement a mandate from Congress (the 2024 General Appropriations Act) and that several Supreme Court justices in their separate opinions already expressed that he should not be held criminally liable for performing a ministerial duty.


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