Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

New Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa attends the sectoral meeting presided by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Malacañang Palace. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool

Article (news)

MARCOS

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday alleged that a so-called “DOH mafia” may be behind a series of complaints filed against him, including a recent graft case over the alleged wastage of more than P1.4 billion worth of medicines.A group identifying itself as the Concerned Department of Health Personnel filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on March 31 against Herbosa and 16 other DOH officials.Herbosa said a total of 13 complaints have been lodged against him since June 2025.The health chief urged the complainants to reveal their identities.“Yung mga nagfa-file, concerned DOH employees, sana magpakilala sila. Kasi kung may basehan talaga sila, they should be able to be bold enough to come out,” Herbosa said.He also floated the theory that the group may be part of what he described as a “DOH mafia.”“Actually, ang theory ko, theory ko is ‘yang concerned DOH employees, ‘yan ‘yung DOH mafia na tinatawag nila. Sino ‘yung mafia? Nadiskubre ko kasi, meron ding corruption sa DOH,” Herbosa added.However, he did not identify any individuals allegedly involved.On the graft complaint related to the alleged P1.4 billion worth of medicines, Herbosa said he has yet to receive a formal notice from the Ombudsman and will respond once he does.He also addressed a separate issue involving expired COVID-19 vaccines flagged in a Commission on Audit (COA) report, saying he was not involved in their procurement.According to Herbosa, the vaccines were purchased during the height of the pandemic and were part of efforts to inoculate millions of Filipinos.“I think that&#x27;s the COVID-19 vaccine. Nasa COA report ‘yan, nababasa naman ‘yan. But I didn&#x27;t buy that,” Herbosa explained.He added that the expired vaccines accounted for less than 10 percent of the total supply procured at the time.Herbosa maintained that he should not be blamed for the expiration of the vaccines and suggested that the complaints against him may be part of a “demolition job.”

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday alleged that a so-called “DOH mafia” may be behind a series of complaints filed against him, including a recent graft case over the alleged wastage of more than P1.4 billion worth of medicines.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday alleged that a so-called “DOH mafia” may be behind a series of complaints filed against him, including a recent graft case over the alleged wastage of more than P1.4 billion worth of medicines.

Herbosa claims ‘DOH mafia’ behind complaints vs. him

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Herbosa claims ‘DOH mafia’ behind complaints vs. him

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 10, 2026 05:15 PM PHT

Read More:

ted herbosa

doh

graft

doh mafia

ombudsman

vaccine

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