Former Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone defended former Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, saying he did not violate any law when he ordered the transfer of ₱60 billion in idle PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury.
“Infairness to him (Recto), in good faith naman ‘yung sa kanya dahil he just implemented what was in the special provision,” Evardone said in an interview, referring to the special provision in Republic Act No. 11975, the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The provision allows the government to pool excess funds from Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), including PhilHealth, to support unprogrammed appropriations.
The Supreme Court recently ruled to return the ₱60 billion to PhilHealth, with four justices stressing that no criminal liability could be attributed to Recto over the fund transfer.