A coalition of doctors and lawyers believes that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto played a role in the controversial transfer of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds, which they say occurred when he was still serving as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Coalition of Doctors and Lawyers returned to the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday to file a Motion for Reconsideration, asking the body to re-examine the controversial 60-billion-peso PhilHealth fund transfer to the National Treasury.

The petitioner-complainants are appealing the Ombudsman's earlier decision, which absolved Executive Secretary and former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, as well as former PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., of charges including plunder, graft, technical malversation, and grave misconduct.

The earlier Ombudsman resolution stated that there was insufficient evidence to establish the cases against Recto and Ledesma. However, the complainants are reiterating that Recto bears responsibility for the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury, and that the Ombudsman erred in dismissing the charges against him.

In their Motion for Reconsideration, the complainants detailed Recto's alleged participation in the PhilHealth fund transfer, stating that he was involved in crafting the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) while serving as Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives. They also claim he was a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee, where they believe a special provision was inserted that became the legal basis for the transfer of 89 billion pesos in PhilHealth funds.

Complainant Atty. Rodel Taton explained that Recto's alleged involvement spans his entire career progression from legislator to executive official.

"We start when he was a member of the house of representatives and from there he became a member of the panel in the bicameral conference in the GAA of 2024 and from there he was appointed as the finance department secretary and of course we also note that he became the executive secretary."

The complainants also noted a significant increase in unprogrammed appropriations for Lipa City in Batangas, which is Recto's congressional district. According to the group, the allocation rose from 50 million pesos in 2023 to 3.6 billion pesos in 2024, leading them to conclude that the fund transfer was deliberate.

Atty. Taton added that the facts surrounding the fund transfer point to benefits flowing toward Recto's district.

"Masusunduan natin na ang facts ay magli-lead doon sa benepisyo doon sa bayan niya at sa kanyang distrito and we are saying that this does not only prejudice the other members of the PhilHealth nation wide but the entire government of the republic of the Philippines."

("We will find that the facts will lead to the benefit of his town and his district, and we are saying that this does not only prejudice the other members of PhilHealth nationwide but the entire government of the Republic of the Philippines.")

The petitioners maintained that PhilHealth funds should not be casually moved, as they represent a statutory and constitutional commitment to universal healthcare.

Atty. Taton also stressed that the fund transfer itself was legally prohibited under existing health legislation.

"We have to note also that the PhilHealth law and the universal health care law prohibit the transfer of funds from the PhilHealth to any other appropriations."

Executive Secretary Recto has yet to issue a new statement on the matter, though he has previously said there was no malicious intent behind the PhilHealth fund transfer. A response from Malacañang is still being awaited.

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