Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and 16 other officials of the Department of Health (DOH) are facing criminal and administrative complaints after revelations that more than ₱1.4 billion worth of medicines and vaccines allegedly expired or were left undistributed.
The Concerned Department of Health Personnel filed a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, March 31.
According to the complaint, vital supplies—including HIV antiretrovirals, psychiatric drugs, and vaccines—were not delivered or distributed, leading to their expiration in storage facilities.
Among the expired stock were ₱68 million worth of family planning drugs and psychiatric injectables, ₱1.3 billion in vaccines that remained undelivered as of January 2026, and ₱1.6 million worth of HIV antiretroviral tablets that reached “terminal status” while awaiting official signatures.
The group alleged that instead of ensuring distribution, the DOH rushed the disposal of the expired supplies, describing it as a “clandestine effort” to cover up the issue and avoid media scrutiny.
An internal message from the Office of the Secretary was also included as evidence, stating:
“Sir ang dami pala expiring commodities ng DPBC, grabe… Pag ito nalaman ng media, patay na naman.”
Aside from Herbosa, those named in the complaint include Undersecretaries Randy Escolango and Gloria Balboa, along with 14 other doctors and officials.
They also face administrative charges for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.
The complainants have urged the Ombudsman to impose preventive suspension on the officials to prevent interference with witnesses or possible tampering of evidence during the investigation.