MANILA — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto maintained that the transfer of idle funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) did not affect the delivery of healthcare services or the agency’s operations.

Recto issued the statement in response to a motion for reconsideration filed before the Office of the Ombudsman seeking to reverse its earlier dismissal of graft and plunder complaints linked to the fund transfer.

He said government actions surrounding the issue were consistent with existing fiscal management policies and earlier explanations from concerned agencies.

“Consistent naman ang naging pahayag at naging findings hinggil sa usaping ito. Ang mahalaga ay hindi naapektuhan ang operasyon ng PhilHealth at ang serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan (The statements and findings on this issue have been consistent. What is important is that PhilHealth operations and services to the people were not affected),” Recto said in a radio interview.

A group of lawyers and doctors had asked the Ombudsman to reconsider its ruling dismissing complaints against Recto and former PhilHealth president Emmanuel Ledesma over the alleged transfer of PHP60 billion in excess funds of the state insurer to the national treasury.

The complainants argued that the Ombudsman failed to consider the broader context of the fund transfer, including Recto’s role as then representative of Batangas’ 6th District and as a member of the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Recto said the funds transferred came from excess government contributions and reserve funds that were not being utilized by PhilHealth at the time.

“Walang katotohanan na naapektuhan ang operasyon ng PhilHealth dahil sa pondong iyon. Hindi nabawasan ang benepisyo o serbisyo ng PhilHealth sa ating mga miyembro (It is not true that PhilHealth operations were affected by those funds. Benefits and services to our members were not reduced),” he said.

He added that government policy allows the use of idle public funds for priority programs in order to reduce borrowing and improve fiscal efficiency.

“Lagi nating tinitiyak na ang pondo ng bayan ay nagagamit para sa mga prayoridad na proyekto at serbisyo ng gobyerno. Kung may pondong hindi nagagamit, kailangang mapakinabangan ito para sa kapakanan ng mas maraming Pilipino (We always ensure that public funds are used for priority government programs and services. If funds are not being used, they must be utilized for the benefit of more Filipinos),” he said.

When asked about allegations linking him to projects supposedly funded by the transferred PhilHealth resources, Recto denied any involvement, saying budget allocation is handled by Congress and implemented by the Department of Budget and Management.

“Wala po akong alam diyan. Secretary of Finance ako noon at hindi kongresista. Ang paglalaan ng budget ay ginagawa ng Kongreso at ipinatutupad ng DBM. Ang trabaho ng Department of Finance ay tiyakin ang kita at fiscal position ng pamahalaan (I do not know anything about that. I was Finance Secretary then, not a congressman. Budget allocation is done by Congress and implemented by the DBM),” he said.

Recto also downplayed the motion for reconsideration, saying the complainants failed to present new arguments, but stressed respect for legal processes.

“Karapatan nila iyan. Alam naman natin na bahagi rin ito ng mas malawak na usaping pampulitika na nagaganap sa bansa (That is their right. We also know this is part of a broader political issue),” he said.