Senator Alan Peter Cayetano sharply criticized the Department of Health (DOH), saying many of its programs fail due to the ineffective leadership of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, during the plenary debate on the agency’s 2026 budget, on Wednesday, November 26.

Cayetano highlighted delays and shortages in the delivery of influenza vaccines, noting that some vaccines arrive at local government units (LGUs) only a month before their expiration. He said this discourages parents from vaccinating their children.

Meanwhile, patients seeking vaccines in the private sector reportedly receive doses that have been near expiration for two to four years.

Herbosa, pinagre-resign ni Cayetano dahil sa umano'y palpak na pamumuno sa DOH | RH 28 @RaymundDadpaas, DZRH News

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“Isang tanong lang, can you guarantee us [that] in 2026 there will be no delays? Because, let’s get a secretary who can,” Cayetano said, addressing Herbosa.

“Ang dami nating pinag-uusapan dito. Budget n’yo ang laki-laki tapos ‘yong [hindi] on time lang ang bakuna? I think it’s unacceptable that we do not have a hard answer here that hindi madedelay ang mga bakuna,” the Senator added.

Cayetano also criticized Herbosa for allegedly neglecting surveys and updates on hospital case rates over several years, which has caused confusion among patients regarding billing for ordinary medical procedures.

He further challenged Herbosa to resign if he could not conduct surveys in 160 hospitals and complete them within a week.

Due to unsatisfactory responses from the health secretary, the Senate suspended the discussion on the DOH’s 2026 budget on Wednesday evening.