Dr. Anthony Leachon filed plunder and technical malversation charges on May 24 against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and other officials over the diversion of P60 billion from PhilHealth and P107 billion from PDIC.
An independent health reform advocate submitted a 19-page complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman. The complaint names Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, acting Finance Secretary Frederick Go, and several other officials including PhilHealth and PDIC executives.
Dr. Anthony Leachon stated that the transfers violated the Universal Health Care Law and Sin Tax provisions. He said the moves met the threshold for plunder under Republic Act 7080.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto called the complaint a nuisance and harassment case. He quoted Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario to argue that officials acted in good faith under a law presumed valid at the time.
The P60 billion transfer occurred in 2025. The Supreme Court ordered its return in December 2025, and the funds were returned to PhilHealth five months later.
