Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday that the plunder, technical malversation, and graft complaints against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. will undergo evaluation.

“Evaluation muna. Of course, it has to undergo evaluation, it was filed this morning, and we will just look at the allegations to see if they are actionable. And of course, if it merits any further action on the part of the Ombudsman, siyempre, if we find it to be properly done and the legal basis to be solid, then we will proceed. But we will have to evaluate everything first,” Remulla said during a press conference.

In response to a question regarding four Supreme Court justices asserting that no criminal liability can be attached to Recto, Remulla emphasized that the anti-graft body has to consider the whole picture.

“We have to look at the totality of the picture, para malaman natin kung saan natin dadalhin ‘yung kaso. Kung ano ang puwedeng gawin, kung ito ay magme-merit ng criminal liability, o kaya’t mayroon pang ibang liability na puwedeng i-attach,” he said.

The complaint—filed by a group of doctors, health advocates, and lawyers led by Atty. Dean Rodel Taton—are in connection with the ₱60-billion transfer from excess reserve funds to the national treasury.

The complainants said this was in clear violation of Republic Act No. 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, as amended, and Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.