Recto says Leviste, opposition may be behind plunder complaint

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday said he still has questions about who is really behind the plunder and malversation complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, but added that the opposition or Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste could allegedly be involved.

He made the remarks during a brief media interview at Villamor Air Base.

READ: PhilHealth fund transfer legal, plunder rap a harassment case – Recto

“There are many question marks… We can allege that possibly the opposition is included, for example Lean Leviste, allegedly,” he told reporters moments before boarding the presidential plane.

Recto is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s delegation for his four-day state visit to Tokyo, Japan.

The complaint, filed by Dr. Tony Leachon early Monday, alleged that Recto “violated the Constitution and betrayed the people’s right to health” when he ordered the transfer of P60 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury.

Leachon also claimed that the transfer of P107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) to the state coffers weakened safeguards meant to protect depositors and eroded public trust in financial institutions.

READ: Plunder raps filed vs Recto over diverted state funds

In a statement on Monday, Recto asserted that the move was mandated by law under the General Appropriations Act of 2024.

“Hence, this case is nothing but a harassment case by a person masquerading as a health reformer, a perennial applicant for Health offices across several presidencies, but always rejected despite his aggressive self-promotion,” he said.

“This bitter man is again auditioning for a post in the next administration, using a platform of lies. His claim that I have financially benefited from said PhilHealth funds is an outright falsehood. This is libelous,” Recto added. /das