Malacañang on Tuesday pushed back against Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong’s claims on hospital guarantee letters, saying the issue is being twisted and linked to a policy not yet in effect.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro defended Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, whom Magalong earlier accused of lying, stressing that DOH hospitals like Baguio General Hospital (BGH) already operate under the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy.
“Bago po siguro magsalita ang isang tao na sinungaling, kailangan muna nilang humarap sa salamin at tanungin nila sa sarili nila, sino ba talaga ang sinungaling?” Castro said, noting that guarantee letters are not required for basic accommodations.
She clarified that the supposed “ban” on guarantee letters is wrongly tied to the anti-epal provision in the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“2026 pa lang po ito ipapa-implement… Hindi pa po nasisimulan, papa-implement pa lang po, sinisiraan na,” she added.
Malacañang said guarantee letters received by BGH were issued by the Baguio City government using its own funds, not DOH money. Castro questioned Magalong’s stance, pointing out that he himself admitted issuing numerous guarantee letters, often backed by senators.
“Kung sa tingin po niya ito ay pang-epal, bakit kaya ang dami rin niyang guarantee letters?” she remarked, stressing that guarantors—not DOH—should shoulder costs. “Kung sinuman po ang guarantor… iyon po ang magbabayad,” she said.
Castro emphasized that local officials must ensure they have funds to back their guarantee letters and hinted at frustration over Magalong’s criticisms.
“Maingay po siya ngayon… pero sana po ay naging maingay din siya noong panahon ng dating Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte,” she noted.