Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and Undersecretary Randy Escolango are facing renewed graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregular control of procurement and fund management within the Department of Health (DOH).

Members of a group of concerned DOH employees filed graft, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service complaints against the two officials earlier in the day, as reported by RH Val Gonzales

In their complaint, the group alleged that Herbosa and Escolango established a “closed procurement scheme” that concentrated authority over the allocation of funds and the distribution of medicines, vaccines and medical supplies under a centralized system.

As part of their evidence, the complainants cited a Department Personnel Order issued in February 2026 and signed by Herbosa, which designated Escolango as head of the Financial and Management Service and the Supply Chain Management Service of the Department of Health.

He was also named chairperson of the Central Office Bids and Awards Committee (COBAC-A), which oversees multibillion-peso procurement activities.

The complainants argued that the dual and expanded functions assigned to Escolango violate anti-graft provisions and procurement laws requiring separation of functions in government contracting and budgeting processes.

They said the arrangement effectively placed procurement planning, funding allocation and implementation under a closely linked chain of authority, which they claim increases the risk of irregular transactions.

The group asked the Ombudsman to issue a six-month preventive suspension order against Herbosa and Escolango while the investigation proceeds.

The concerned employees have previously filed more than 10 cases and petitions against Herbosa and other DOH officials, some of which were also elevated to the Office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the filing.