Herbosa denies ouster rumors

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday refuted rumors that he is being removed from the Marcos Cabinet.

Herbosa made the clarification amid several complaints filed against him.

“There is no truth to that. I think USec. Claire [Castro] already said that there is no revamp to the Cabinet,” Herbosa said at a televised briefing on Wednesday, 7 January.

“But we, in the Cabinet, all serve at the pleasure of the President. So if ever the President wants to replace me, that is the prerogative of our President,” he added.

The health chief said he will continue serving and pursuing his mandates, particularly the implementation of the zero-balance billing program and the expansion of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers.

In July 2025, Herbosa and five other DOH officials were charged with multiple corruption cases before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged P44.6 million worth of psychiatric drugs.

The cases stemmed from the allegedly questionable and disproportionate allocation of government-procured mental health medications to the Rotary Club of Quezon City.

Herbosa is also facing a complaint over the alleged approval of a P1.29-billion cash advance for vaccines and essential medicines that reportedly remains unliquidated.

Herbosa is currently facing graft charges in connection with the P98-million radio show "PINASigla."

In December last year, the Commission on Audit also flagged the DOH over expired and nearly expired drugs and medicines amounting to P34.8 million and other inventories worth P99.4 million.