Malacañang on Wednesday denied reports that Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has been placed under preventive suspension amid mounting controversies.
“From OP (Office of the President) and OES (Office of the Executive Secretary), wala po as of now na suspension of Sec. Ted (as of now, there is no suspension of Sec. Ted),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.
Herbosa is reportedly facing several complaints, including one allegedly filed by DOH employees before the Office of the Ombudsman in July. The case involves the supposed unauthorized release of PHP44.6 million worth of psychiatric drugs to the Rotary Club of Quezon City, which is not authorized to distribute medicine.
He is also the subject of an anonymous complaint over the alleged transfer of PHP1.29 billion in cash advances to UNICEF from February to July 2024, as well as a PHP524 million procurement request for vaccines through the same agency.
Meanwhile, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said Herbosa, along with other DOH officials, was at the House of Representatives on Wednesday to brief legislators on the administration’s public health priorities.
