Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Thursday said the government has fully complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds, reiterating his innocence amid new complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We respect the right of any individual or group to seek legal remedies and to avail themselves of the processes provided under our laws,” Recto said.
“The issue has already been addressed by the Supreme Court, and the government has fully complied with its ruling. Consistent with this, funding for PhilHealth has since been restored and even augmented in order to better serve our countrymen,” he added.
The statement came after a coalition of doctors, health advocates, and lawyers filed plunder, technical malversation, and graft complaints against Recto and former PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., linked to the transfer of ₱60 billion in PhilHealth’s reserve funds to the national treasury.
“Let me also reiterate my innocence, as opined by Supreme Court Justices, that no criminal liability may attach to me, as former Secretary of Finance, for acting in good faith and in accordance with a direct mandate from Congress in ordering the remittance of PhilHealth’s unused funds,” Recto said.
The Supreme Court, in a December 3, 2025 ruling, ordered the return of the ₱60 billion and barred the transfer of the remaining ₱29.9 billion, but did not determine Recto’s criminal liability, as the petitions focused on alleged grave abuse of discretion.
Recto emphasized that he remains focused on governance and upholding the rule of law.
“We remain confident that the facts and the law are clear, and that the appropriate institutions will evaluate any allegations fairly and objectively,” he said.
“For our part, we will continue to uphold the rule of law, respect due process, and work to uplift the lives of our kababayan. I will not get distracted by political noise. The work of improving government performance and services is my priority,” he added.