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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH officials say actions comply with rules amid Ombudsman complaint

DOH officials say actions comply with rules amid Ombudsman complaint

Published Dec 23, 2025 03:23 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The three Department of Health (DOH) officials charged before the Office of the Ombudsman over their alleged “conflicting roles” in a government-funded radio program said their actions were fully compliant with government rules and regulations.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the respondents- - -DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert E. Domingo, and Health Promotion Bureau Director Ma. Kristina Marasigan- - -said their participation in media platforms forms part of the agency’s mandate to provide health information to the public.
“[A]ll our anchoring and hosting duties are fully compliant with government rules and regulations,” the respondents said.
“It appears that the complaints are frivolous claims designed to distract from factual and more pressing issues,” they added.
The respondents stressed that the DOH regularly delivers health information through various media channels and that such engagements adhere to existing policies.
“Every Filipino has the right to health, which includes education and information on disease prevention and treatment,” they said.
“DOH delivers transparent and reliable health information through the engagements of its officials and staff with many media channels. These comply with government procurement laws, and respect the specific media ethics of each broadcasting platform,” the statement read.
The respondents said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint from the Ombudsman but maintained that their actions were within the bounds of the law.
“We have yet to receive a copy of the complaint from the Ombudsman,” they said.
Earlier, groups including Concerned DOH Personnel, the Alliance for Clean and Transparent Government (ACTGov), and the Health Workers for Change Movement filed complaints before the Ombudsman, seeking criminal and administrative charges against the three officials over their alleged roles in the P98-million radio program “PINASigla,” which is aired on outlets owned by the Philippine Collective Media Corporation (PCMC).
The complainants alleged that the program was produced and funded using government funds and that the officials maintained “conflicting roles” as public officers and media anchors.
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