Vilma Santos, may matapang na bwelta sa mga bumabatikos sa asawang si Ralph Recto

Here is the news article written in English with an entertainment-site approach, focusing on the story highlights and the statement from Governor Vilma Santos.

Title Variations

• Catchy title: Vilma Santos breaks silence on plunder complaints against husband Ralph Recto
• RSS title – smart clickbait: "We are on top": Why Vilma Santos isn't bothered by critics of Ralph Recto
• With emotion but non-clickbaity: Hurt but hopeful: Vilma Santos stands by Ralph Recto amid PhilHealth fund controversy
• Facebook headline: "Kaya niyo kami tinitira kasi nasa taas kami!" Vilma Santos fires back at husband’s bashers!
• Formal title: Governor Vilma Santos addresses graft and plunder allegations involving Executive Secretary Ralph Recto

Additional Formal Titles

1. Batangas Governor Vilma Santos issues statement regarding legal complaints against Ralph Recto
2. Vilma Santos defends Executive Secretary Ralph Recto amid PhilHealth fund transfer probe
3. Governor Santos-Recto responds to Save the Philippines Coalition’s plunder charges
4. Official reaction of Vilma Santos to the graft and misconduct allegations against her husband
5. Vilma Santos affirms confidence in husband’s integrity following Ombudsman complaint

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Story Highlights

• Executive Secretary Ralph Recto is facing graft and plunder complaints over the transfer of P60-billion in PhilHealth funds
• The Save the Philippines Coalition filed the charges with the Ombudsman involving Recto’s previous role as Finance Secretary
• Batangas Governor Vilma Santos admitted she is affected by the harsh remarks but remains confident in her husband’s position
• The award-winning actress turned politician reminded critics that they are only being targeted because they are in power

The "Star for All Seasons" and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos is proving that she is her husband’s biggest defender. Following the recent filing of graft and plunder complaints against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the legendary actress spoke out to address the "bashers" head-on.

The controversy stems from the transfer of P60 billion in funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to the national treasury in 2024, a move made while Recto was serving as the Secretary of Finance. While members of the Save the Philippines Coalition have filed charges of plunder and grave misconduct, Vilma says she knows the man she married.

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In a video circulating online, the governor admitted that she isn't immune to the negativity. “Kung minsan papabayaan mo na lang in a way. Sinasight ko ang sarili ko na kaya niyo kami tinitira kasi nasa taas kami at kaya kayo tumitira kasi nasa baba kayo. And at the same time nakasight din sa sarili ko there are some people yun talagang nagbabash lang walang intensyong iba ah,” she said.

The veteran actress also suggested that much of the hate comes from a place of envy. “Ang sina-sight ko ang sarili ko na you know these people siguro kasi gusto nila nandun sila sa lugar mo and it’s so unfortunate hindi nila makaya,” she added. Despite the legal storm, she assured their supporters that they would fight until the end and "finish it with an impact."

Recto has already expressed his full willingness to cooperate with the Ombudsman's investigation to clarify the legality of the fund transfer. This legal battle adds a new chapter to the couple’s long history in public service, where they have often balanced careers in both the glitz of showbiz and the grit of politics.

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Beyond the headlines of the courtrooms, Governor Vilma continues to be a hands-on leader in her province, often making waves for her personal touch in addressing local concerns.

Before facing this recent political storm, Governor Vilma was busy proving her dedication to the people of Batangas by addressing local food safety concerns. Last June, she personally led an initiative to clear the air regarding the safety of eating fish caught from the famous Taal Lake.

In this report, the governor acted quickly to reassure the public that local fish supplies were unaffected by volcanic activity. Her efforts were aimed at saving the livelihood of thousands of fisherfolk who saw a decline in sales due to unfounded fears about water quality.

To prove her point, a viral video showed Vilma enjoying a meal of tawilis, the world's only freshwater sardine found in Taal. This bold move was praised by netizens and local vendors alike, as it successfully restored confidence in the local fishing industry during a difficult period.

Source: KAMI.com.gh