Graft raps filed vs Herbosa, 3 others over alleged procurement irregularities

A group of concerned Department of Health employees has filed a graft complaint against Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and three other DOH officials for alleged irregularities in the procurement of the Mobile Primary Care Facilities (MPCF).

In the complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, aside from Herbosa, also named as respondents were Undersecretary Glen Matthew Baggao, Atty. Brigida Romualdez-Aquino, and Allan Tope for allegedly violating Anti-Graft Practices Act and New Government Procurement Act. 

The complainants said on September 15, 2025, Herbosa designated Undersecretary Gregorio Murillo Jr as end user unit of MPCF. 

They noted that on October 10, Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral issued a memorandum stating that only 25% of MPCFs across 83 provinces were functional, which showed "deeply concerning level of inefficiency."

They said that despite knowing that the previous units were non-functional, Herbosa allegedly directed Murillo to follow the former's Terms of Reference. 

Murillo, on November 7, transmitted the TOR, Purchase Request, and Project Procurement Management Plan and other documents for the acquisition of MPCF with a budget of P1.8 million to the Procurement Service. 

Murillo also referred the documents to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program – Management Office (HFEP-MO) which evaluated it and found it consistent with previous reports of non-functionality of the MPCFs. 

The complainants said Tope and Romualdez-Aquino, on November 12, endorsed to Murillo a "Market Study" containing technical specifications for the procurement of 150 units of MPCF. The complainants alleged the two attempted to modify the TOR with "tailr-fitted/lock specifications."

They added the respondents indefinitely postponed the pre-procurement conference and demanded a revision of the TOR to allegedly match Herbosa's directive.

"Respondent Herbosa removed Usec Murillo from his position because he chose to advocate for upgraded facilities that complied with safety and dignity standards," they said.

Baggao was placed as the new HFEP-MO head.

“Despite lacking any legitimate authority, they blatantly overstepped their bounds by intervening in the procurement process, substituting their own judgment and undermining the decisions of Usec. Murillo,” read the complaint.

“They axed Murillo from his position and clear the way for their attempt in rigging the procurement to MPCF. To ensure the success of their furtive design, the later on appointed Usec. Baggao whose family is notoriously involved in the flood-control scam,” it added.

The complainants called for an immediate suspension and investigation into Herbosa and his colleagues, as well as the immediate production, preservation, and forensic of all records and digital logs.

Sought for comment, DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said: “The DOH respects the Ombudsman and awaits formal processes from its office.”

Sacked from position

In a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on February 14, Murillo detailed the case and shared that he had been removed from his position for simply standing on his advocacy for an upgraded Primary Care Facility that was up to standard.

“My tenure in public service, I exerted my utmost efforts to promote quality and equitable health care, particularly for communities in the poorest provinces, not only in Mindanao but across the entire country. My service has always been guided by the principle that every Filipino, regardless of status or location, deserves access to reliable, compassionate, and responsive health care,” he said.

“While my official capacity has ceased, my commitment to the Filipino people endures. I shall continue to uphold what is right and to advocate for a health system that faithfully serves the needs of the most vulnerable and underserved sectors of society,” he added.

Regarding Murillo’s correspondence, the DOH refused to issue an official statement.

“We can't authenticate this document and moreso comment on it as it is, on its face, not marked as from DOH,” they said.

Herbosa is also facing graft complaint for alleged mismanagement of funds for cancer patients and the alleged use of a government-funded radio program for supposed personal benefit and publicity. —AOL, GMA Integrated News