Ombudsman junks plunder, graft raps vs Recto, ex-PhilHealth chief

National

THE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the plunder, graft, and malversation complaints filed against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma.

The complaints were linked to the transfer of P60 billion in unused PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. The transfer was ordered by Recto during his tenure as Finance secretary under a special provision of the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

In a consolidated resolution dated June 2, the Ombudsman said the criminal and administrative complaints should be dismissed due to insufficient evidence, a report by Inquirer.net said.

The anti-graft body ruled that complainants failed to establish enough grounds to secure a conviction against the respondents.

The Ombudsman also dismissed the plunder complaint, noting that the return of the P60 billion to PhilHealth weakened allegations that the respondents used their positions for personal enrichment.

It likewise found no basis to hold Recto and Ledesma liable under Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

According to the resolution, complainants failed to prove that the respondents acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross negligence.

The Ombudsman further said there was no sufficient evidence showing corrupt intent, dishonest design, or unethical interest on the part of the respondents.

The complaints were filed separately by the Save the Philippines Coalition and another coalition of doctors, health advocates, and lawyers led by attorney Rodel Taton.(Angel Sheane Dumas, CNU Comm Intern)