Ombudsman silent on Herbosa suspension amid graft probes

The Office of the Ombudsman has not commented on reports of ordering the preventive suspension of Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who is facing multiple graft cases.

Herbosa and other DOH officials attended a House of Representatives hearing regarding public health funding amid ongoing investigations.

Graft charges against Herbosa stem from P44.6 million worth of drugs allocated to an unauthorized group and allegations of P1.29 billion in unliquidated funds transferred for vaccine procurement.

Complainants, identified as concerned DOH personnel and health governance advocates, accused Herbosa of delaying the resolution of procurement protests involving vaccines and medicines.

The complainants cited a Commission on Audit memorandum highlighting unresolved protests worth P1.2 billion and raised concerns about favoritism in the bidding process.