WATCH: DOH Sec. Ted Herbosa, pinagbibitiw sa pwesto ng Health Alliance for Democracy | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/JA7tuNjroK — DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 15, 2025

The Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) on Monday called on Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to step down, citing alleged corruption and failures in the management of the country’s public health system.

Members of HEAD, along with other sectoral groups, held a protest in front of the DOH central office, demanding accountability from the agency’s leadership. Protesters accused the department of widespread corruption and neglect of health workers and patients.

“Dekadang pinapatakbo ng buong gobyerno sa kasalukuyan. Kung gayon mga kababayan, lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno ay may korapsyon. Kaya ang sektor pangkalusugan, ang mga manggagawang pangkalusugan ay narito ngayon sa Department of Health para singilin ang Department of Health sa malawakang kurapsyon,” one protester said during the demonstration.

According to HEAD, Secretary Herbosa allegedly allowed the transfer of ₱89.9 billion in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the National Treasury.

RH Boy Gonzales reported on dzRH's Damdaming Bayan, that the group also claimed the DOH failed to properly report on the status of Super Health Centers nationwide, and has yet to release ₱1.4 billion worth of unpaid allowances for health workers.

Another member lamented that ordinary Filipinos and health workers would not experience a joyful Christmas amid these issues.

“Walang masayang Paskong magaganap sa mga mamamayan, sa mga manggagawang pangkalusugan sa ating mamamayang Pilipino,” he said.

“Pero itong mga mandarambong sa kabal ng bayan ay namamayagpag at hindi na babahala sa kabila ng matinding pagtutol, sa kabila ng matinding protesta ng mamamayan, sa nagaganap na malawakang korapsyon sa ating gobyerno, ay tila hindi na babahala ang mga magdarambog sa kaban ng bayan. Tuloy ang kanilang ligaya, dahil sa kasalukuyan, wala pa rin ng papanagot,” the member said.

Protesters repeatedly chanted “Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot,” emphasizing their demand for justice and transparency.

HEAD also criticized what it described as weak policies surrounding the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program, as well as alleged conflicts of interest in the DOH’s procurement processes.

The group insisted that Herbosa’s leadership endangers Filipinos’ right to accessible and adequate health services, urging the government to address the alleged irregularities and ensure accountability within the health sector.