A group of doctors and lawyers has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to review the resolution that acquitted former Finance Secretary and now Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma. The group filed a motion for reconsideration with the Ombudsman to re-examine the resolution.
Background of the complaint
The complaint stemmed from the alleged illegal transfer of P60 billion from PhilHealth's reserve fund to the National Treasury. The complainants are appealing for the reversal of the dismissal of their earlier complaint against the two officials. The complaint included technical malversation, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, plunder, and grave misconduct.
Role of Recto
The complainants insisted that Recto played a significant role in the crafting of the 2024 General Appropriations Act when he was still the representative of Batangas district in 2023. They also recalled his alleged participation in the bicameral conference committee where Special Provision 1(d) was added, which later became the basis for the circular to transfer a total of P89 billion in PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury.
As of now, Recto and Ledesma have not commented on the motion.
