Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said over national radio Friday, October 3, that the Department of Health (DOH) is next on the radar of anti-corruption crusaders, after uncovering alleged large-scale corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), particularly in flood control projects.
‘Not only DPWH – what’s happening in the DOH is getting close, too,’ he said, referring to mounting concerns over alleged irregularities in the health department following corruption complaints against Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and five other officials.
They were accused of misusing P44.6 million worth of government-procured psychiatric medicines, which were allegedly turned over to a private group without due process.
‘Si (DOH Secretary Ted) Herbosa, malapit na ‘yan,’ Magalong said.
Lawmakers have also flagged the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), citing unfinished or unusable health centers, with some described as ‘ghost’ facilities.
Others, meanwhile, remain non-operational due to a lack of personnel.
Magalong said the efforts of his group, Mayors for Good Governance, are not limited to infrastructure projects, stressing that public funds are also being wasted in other critical areas, including healthcare – a concern that directly affects ordinary Filipinos.
However, his actions have drawn criticism. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon questioned Magalong’s own record, citing a P110-million tennis and parking facility project in Baguio linked to Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction. Ridon urged Magalong to also explain his involvement in the project.
Magalong, who resigned from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) after questions over a possible conflict of interest, may need to present stronger evidence of alleged corruption in the DOH, similar to what he submitted against DPWH officials.
Before stepping down from his post as ICI adviser and investigator, Magalong had turned over documents and other evidence to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which helped jumpstart ongoing corruption probes.
The DOH has yet to issue a formal response to Magalong’s latest claims.