Groups want Recto to resign

MANILA, Philippines — The petitioners who challenged the transfer of the P60-billion fund of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to the national treasury want former finance chief Ralph Recto to resign as executive secretary, after the Supreme Court ordered the return of the PhilHealth funds.

The call was made by the petitioners led by former senator Aquilino Pimentel III, former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, the Philippine Medical Association and labor groups.

In a statement, they also called for an investigation “so that (those) responsible for the hijacking of the people’s PhilHealth funds will be held accountable.”

The group cited the court’s decision, which said the “financial misalignment is not merely a budgeting error (but) a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to health.”

They said the ruling is a victory for Filipinos and their right to health.

“Congress should return the P60 billion without setting conditions or limitations on its use,” they added.