A group of doctors and lawyers has filed a motion for reconsideration before the Office of the Ombudsman, seeking to overturn its earlier decision that cleared Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. in connection with the alleged ₱60-billion transfer of funds from PhilHealth to the National Treasury.
The group is asking the Ombudsman to revisit its ruling dismissing complaints of technical malversation, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder, and grave misconduct tied to the fund transfer.
In their filing, the complainants argued that the decision failed to properly assess the alleged role of Recto in the 2024 General Appropriations Act, including his participation in the bicameral conference committee where a special provision was reportedly introduced that later served as basis for the transfer of billions in PhilHealth reserve funds.
They also raised concerns over the reported increase in unprogrammed appropriations in Lipa, Batangas from ₱50 million to ₱3.6 billion in 2024, which they claim may be linked to the reallocation of government corporation reserves to the National Treasury.
“Ang tinitingnan namin dito ay ang sinasabi ng Office of the Ombudsman and with all due respect na hinahanapan ng intent. these are in material because the law says that this is prohibited. And in this particular case, there is the PhilHealth law, the universal healthcare law, and itong lahat ng ito ay nagsasabi na bawal ang paglipat ng pondo ng PhilHealth,” Atty. Rodel Taton said in an interview.
Asked to comment on the motion for reconsideration, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the filing was within the petitioners’ prerogative, but maintained that both the Office of the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court have been consistent in their rulings on the issue.
In a text message, Recto stressed that he merely implemented the law passed by Congress at the time after consulting and obtaining favorable opinions from the Commission on Audit (COA), the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), and the respective boards involved.
“I was only doing my job as chief fundraiser of the National Government,” Recto said, noting that he was already serving as Finance Secretary in 2024 and was no longer a member of Congress.
Recto also denied knowledge of the alleged increase in unprogrammed appropriations in Lipa, Batangas and any supposed flood control projects linked to the issue.
“I am not aware of any unprogrammed funds for Lipa, or flood control projects. What I know are well-built school buildings, government centers and bypass roads which are continuing projects. There are no ghost or substandard projects in Lipa,” he said.
The Ombudsman is expected to act on the motion as the petitioners push for a reversal of the dismissal and a further review of the alleged irregular transfer of PhilHealth reserve funds.
