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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos' action on gambling allegations vs DOH chief depends on evidence, probe —Palace

Marcos' action on gambling allegations vs DOH chief depends on evidence, probe —Palace

Published Aug 3, 2026 04:31 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DOH Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. (PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DOH Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. (PCO)
President Marcos will only act on the casino gambling allegations against new Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. based on evidence and investigation, Malacañang said.
Issues such this, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said, should first be investigated before the President could act on it.
"Kung may ganito pong mga isyu ay dapat lang po talagang lumabas, kailangan pong maimbestigahan at kung anuman po ang kalalabasan nito ay hahayaan po natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon patungkol diyan (If there are issues like these, then they should indeed come to light. They need to be investigated, and whatever the outcome may be, we will leave it to the President to decide on the appropriate course of action)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday, Aug. 3.
The Palace official also said that there is no concrete evidence backing the allegations so far. Thus, the President will act only once the evidence is in.
"Sa ngayon po na wala pa pong nailalabas na anumang, I mean, concrete evidence, maliban lamang po talaga kung ito talaga ay makatotohanan na, doon lamang  po kikilos ang ating Pangulo (At this point, no concrete evidence has been presented. The President will act only once it has been established that the allegations are indeed true)," Castro said.
At present, there is no any directive from the President over the issue, Castro said when asked if a preventive suspension against the DOH chief will be imposed.
"Sa ngayon, hindi pa po naipapaabot ng Pangulo kung mag-iisyu ng ganyan kay Secretary Pujalte (As of now, the President has not indicated whether he will issue any directive regarding Secretary Pujalte)," Castro said.
"Pero tingnan po natin sa mga susunod na mga oras or araw at ibibigay ko po sa inyo ang pinaka-update (We will see what happens in the coming hours or days, and I will provide you with the latest updates)," she added.
In a statement, Pujalte vehemently denied the allegations contained in a circulating letter claiming that he had been staying at casinos to gamble.
READ MORE: DOH chief denies casino gambling allegations, says hotel visit was for official meeting
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/31/doh-chief-denies-casino-gambling-allegations-says-hotel-visit-was-for-official-meeting

Related Tags

President Marcos DOH Secretary Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr Claire Castro
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