Herbosa, 3 others face graft cases for bid riggingMANILA, Philippines — High-ranking officials of the Department of Health (DOH) including Secretary Teodoro Herbosa are being accused of bid-rigging over alleged irregularities in plans to upgrade non-functional mobile health facilities in the provinces, mostly in Mindanao. The “Concerned DOH Employees,” who requested anonymity, filed a complaint against Herbosa, his head executive assistant Brigida Romualdez-Aquino, Executive Assistant VI Allan Tope and Undersecretary Glen Matthew Baggao for violating Sections 3 (a) and (e) of the Anti-Graft Practices Act (RA 3019), and Sections 92 (c) and (g) of the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009), as well as Sections 7.7.1, 11 and 42 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 12009 arising from serious irregularities in the procurement of Mobile Primary Care Facilities (MPCF). They “quietly” filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday, a source told The STAR. Murillo was later allegedly “removed” by Herbosa “because he chose to advocate for upgraded facilities that complied with safety and dignity standards” and was replaced by Baggao. The complainants accused Herbosa, Romualdez-Aquino, Tope and Baggao of conspiracy in “committing bid rigging in the procurement of DOH Mobile Primary Care Facility Project through undue interference and manipulation of technical specifications or terms of reference.”They asked the ombudsman to look into the alleged irregularities and “issue preventive suspension” against Herbosa, Romualdez-Aquino, Tope and Baggao, preserve all records of procurement and order a forensic examination of digital communications among them.

Source: Philippine Star March 06, 2026 16:32 UTC