A health workers’ group has thrown its support behind graft complaints filed against Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and Department of Health (DOH) officials Tina Marasigan and Albert Domingo, accusing them of misusing public funds for self-promotion.
The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) criticized the DOH’s ₱98 million government-funded radio program PINASigla, saying it was used for “papogi points” instead of addressing urgent problems in the public health system.
“Siyempre binayaran mo ng 98 million ang isang program na private, talagang ang mangyayari lahat ng issue, lahat ng information ay naayon sa kagustuhan mo, sa ikagaganda mo bilang isang DOH Secretary. Lalo na ung 98 million ay pera ng bayan ng mamayang Pilipino na gagamitin mo sa sarili mong interes, sa pagkakaroon mo ng papogi points. Hindi po siya tama,” said Sally Arce of AHW.
The group stressed that health workers continue to endure poor hospital conditions, contractual employment, and stagnant salaries despite repeated appeals to the government.
“Contractualization, matagal na pong issue yan… wala pong kasigurahan ang karamihan sa amin na magkakaroon ng permanent na posisyon sa gobyerno,” Arce added.
Watchdogs have also filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, citing conflict of interest after revelations that the program’s content provider is linked to Marasigan’s husband.
Herbosa has maintained that the initiative complied with government rules, but critics insist it betrayed public trust at a time when health workers struggle with low wages and insecure jobs.