Recto says P60-B fund transfer didn't affect PhilHealth operations

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Friday maintained that the transfer of P60 billion in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury did not affect the state insurer’s operations.

This comes after a group led by Atty. Rodel A. Taton, Dr. Cynthia C. Ng, and several other medical and legal professionals filed a motion for reconsideration before the Office of the Ombudsman, seeking a review of its resolution that cleared then-Finance Secretary Recto and former PhilHealth President and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. of plunder, graft, technical malversation, and grave misconduct complaints.

READ: Group appeals dismissal of raps vs. Recto, others over PhilHealth funds

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“The statements and findings regarding this issue have been consistent. What is important is that PhilHealth’s operations and the services provided to our fellow citizens were not affected,” Recto said during a radio interview.

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Recto said government actions were consistent with existing fiscal management policies.

“It is not true that PhilHealth’s operations were affected because of that fund. PhilHealth’s benefits or services for our members were not reduced,” he said, noting that the transfered funds were not in use by PhilHealth at the time.

He also stressed that government policy seeks to maximize the use of available public funds to support priority programs and reduce the need for additional borrowing.

“We always ensure that public funds are used for the government’s priority projects and services. If there are unused funds, they should be utilized for the benefit of more Filipinos,” said Recto.

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Recto also denied alleged connections to projects supposedly funded through the transferred PhilHealth resources.

“I do not know anything about that. I was the Secretary of Finance at the time, not a congressman. The allocation of the budget is done by Congress and implemented by the DBM. The role of the Department of Finance is to ensure the government’s revenue and fiscal position,” he said. /mr

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