The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed criminal complaints against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth CEO Emmanuel Ledesma over the 2024 transfer of P60 billion in PhilHealth funds.
In a consolidated resolution dated June 2 and released to media on June 9, the Ombudsman ruled there was insufficient evidence to support charges of plunder, graft, malversation, and technical malversation. The complaints stemmed from Recto’s order as finance secretary to move unused PhilHealth reserves to the national treasury under the 2024 General Appropriations Act. The Ombudsman noted that the subsequent return of the P60 billion to PhilHealth negated any claim of personal enrichment. It also found no proof of corrupt intent or bad faith by either Recto or Ledesma. The complaints had been filed by the Save the Philippines Coalition and a group led by lawyer Rodel Taton. The Supreme Court had earlier declared the fund transfer provision void in December 2025.
