A group identifying itself as concerned employees of the Department of Health has filed a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and 16 other officials, alleging that mismanagement led to the wastage of up to ₱1.5 billion worth of medicines and vaccines.

The complaint, dated March 31, accuses the respondents of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, alongside charges of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct. At the center of the case is the claim that large volumes of government-procured health supplies were allowed to expire or remain undistributed despite internal warnings.

Expired Medicines and Idle Vaccines

According to the complaint, around ₱68 million worth of medicines expired between December 2025 and March 2026. These include reproductive health supplies and psychiatric drugs such as flupentixol, fluphenazine, and valproic acid, which are typically used in mental health treatment programs.

A much larger portion—estimated at over ₱1.3 billion—consists of vaccines that were reportedly stored in national warehouses but never distributed to regional health units. These include routine immunization doses such as BCG and MMR, some of which are approaching expiration later in 2026.

Complainants allege that internal reports had already flagged the risk. Documents cited include a January 2026 inventory report and a March 2026 executive briefing that warned of overstocking and impending expiry.

Allegations of Inaction and Disposal

The complaint claims that despite these warnings, officials failed to authorize urgent distribution to local health facilities. Instead, it alleges that steps were taken to dispose of the stocks quickly once expiration became unavoidable. The group further claims this was done to minimize public attention, though these assertions have not been independently verified and remain part of the allegations under review.

Officials Named in the Complaint

Aside from Secretary Herbosa, the complaint includes several undersecretaries, program directors, and division heads involved in areas such as infectious disease control, immunization, mental health, and family planning. The complainants are seeking preventive suspension of all respondents while the case is under investigation.

The Department of Health has acknowledged the complaint but has not issued a detailed response. Officials said they would address the allegations through proper legal channels once formally notified by the Ombudsman. A department spokesperson also noted that the filing is part of a series of anonymous complaints raised in recent months, emphasizing the need to observe due process.‍

The complaint is currently at a preliminary stage. The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with a formal investigation. This filing follows earlier allegations involving procurement issues within the DOH, adding to ongoing scrutiny of the agency’s handling of public health resources.

The case centers on whether lapses in planning and distribution led to significant public resource losses. While the figures cited are substantial, all claims remain allegations pending review by the Ombudsman, and no findings of liability have been made.

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