Executive Secretary Ralph Recto strongly denied allegations that he was involved in funding anomalous government flood control projects.
The claims stem from retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who alleged that Recto, a former Department of Finance (DOF) secretary, ordered the remittance of billions of pesos from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC).
The funds, reportedly totaling ₱167 billion, were transferred to the Bureau of Treasury for unprogrammed appropriations.
In a television interview last week, Carpio said this could constitute cases of plunder and technical malversation.
Carpio also argued that PhilHealth had no excess funds, and only the President could transfer agency savings.
However, Recto clarified that the DOF has no involvement in flood control projects, which are the responsibility of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“The role of the DOF is to increase national revenue and monitor government debts and deficits,” he said.