Recto, Ledesma face plunder raps over P60B PhilHealth fund transfer

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth president Emmanuel Ledesma are facing plunder, graft, technical malversation, and grave misconduct complaints before the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaints, filed by the Save the Philippines Coalition, stem from the transfer of P60 billion in excess PhilHealth funds to the national treasury in 2024.

Recto, who was finance secretary during the transfer, insists he has no criminal liability, stating he acted in good faith and followed a mandate from Congress.

He pledged full cooperation with the Ombudsman's investigation, welcoming the opportunity to prove his innocence.

The Supreme Court had previously declared the transfer of P60 billion void and ordered its return to PhilHealth, also halting the transfer of an additional P29.9 billion.