FACT-CHECK: Executive Secretary Ralph Recto not in prison

admin 8:19 PM
CLAIM: Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was imprisoned because of a ruling of the Supreme Court.
 
RATING: FALSE

 

A YouTube video falsely claimed that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was sent to prison following a Supreme Court ruling.

Flagged content: The YouTube account “PINAS BALITA TV” posted a video on Dec. 20, 2025 titled “HETO NA! FINALLY! K0RTE SUPR3MA UMAKSY0N na! BEBE EM WALAng TAKAS HEMAS REHAS na RECT0 WALANG TAKAS! (sic)” (“Here it is! Finally! The Supreme Court took action! BBM and Recto have no escape, Recto imprisoned!”)

  • The photo contains overlay text that reads, “K0RTE UMAKSYON NA! ITO ANG PINAKA-AANTAY NG LAHAT! (sic)” (Supreme Court took action! This is what everyone is waiting for!)
  • The faces of Vice President Sara Duterte, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Recto were used for the thumbnail. The photos were arranged and edited in a visual that pits Leonen and Duterte against Marcos Jr. and Recto.
  • As seen in a previous analysis, the thumbnail photos show traces of AI manipulation, altering faces to show exaggerated expressions, meant to attract a bigger audience.

Our debunk: As of writing, there have been no reports of Recto being under arrest or detained, nor have there been any statements from the executive department addressing such an event.

  • On Jan. 8, the official Facebook page of the Office of the Executive Secretary posted a photo of Recto attending a high-level meeting ahead of the Asean Summit that the Philippines is set to host in 2026.
  • President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. did not announce any changes to the Cabinet.
  • On Dec. 5, 2025, the Supreme Court voided the transfer of P60 billion in “excess” Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury, which Recto ordered in 2024.

Rewind: Recto served as finance secretary from Jan. 12, 2024 to Nov. 17, 2025.

  • On Feb. 27, 2024, Recto issued Department Circular 003-2024, which allowed the excess funds of government agencies, such as PhilHealth, to unlock unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
  • On Nov. 17, 2025, Recto was appointed by Marcos Jr. as executive secretary. He was replaced by the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Frederick Go.

Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the video has drawn 9,007 views, 528 likes, and 59 comments. 

  • Recto, along with former PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., faces another set of plunder, technical malversation, and graft complaints filed on Jan. 15, 2026.
  • The plunder allegations against Recto were filed against the backdrop of a massive corruption scandal in flood control.

Spot the fake: As coverage on corruption continues to dominate public attention, fake “breaking news” reports, such as arrests and imprisonments that never happened, distract the public from the actual facts that they need to know.

  • This subset of disinformation shifts public perception in real time, affecting their understanding of what is really happening. Rhei Hernandez and Jessica Mae Galicto


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