Recto, former PhilHealth boss face plunder rapsMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. are facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman over the transfer of P60 billion in “excess” PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. The advocacy group said Recto and Ledesma must also be held administratively liable for grave misconduct. The complainants specifically wanted Recto to be held liable for his issuance of Department of Finance (DOF) Circular No. 003-2024 during his term as finance secretary, which included P89 billion in reserve funds of PhilHealth as among the reserve funds of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) ordered transferred to the national treasury. The complainants said Ledesma must be held liable with Recto as he acquiesced to the lattter’s “unlawful directive.” — Helen Flores

Source: Philippine Star December 22, 2025 18:10 UTC