Malacañang confirmed on Saturday that Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretaries Randy Escolango and Matthew Baggao have stepped down from their executive posts amid ongoing legal challenges.
The official verification came from Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro when journalists inquired about the status of the two senior health officials.
”Confirmed… in relation to DOH USecs,” Castro stated.
The leadership departure coincides with formal administrative and criminal charges lodged against both leaders before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Escolango, alongside former Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, is subject to a complaint detailing allegations of graft, grave misconduct, and associated administrative infractions.
The legal action was initiated by a group of concerned DOH employees who raised questions regarding the propriety of Escolango’s appointment to several key positions within the agency.
Simultaneously, Baggao is named in two graft counts alongside charges alleging breaches of the Procurement Law and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees.
Those complaints were submitted to the anti-graft tribunal by a collective operating as the Concerned Health Workers.