A HEALTH reform advocate criticized a supposed campaign video of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, where he is being promoted as a potential senatorial candidate for the 2028 elections.
Dr. Tony Leachon criticized the comparisons made in the video between Herbosa and former health secretary Juan Flavier.
Leachon said Flavier was remembered as a physician-leader known for humility and public service, while Herbosa represents a more politically driven style of leadership.
“Leadership is not about image but impact. It is not about advertisements but accountability. The Filipino people deserve a health secretary who strengthens institutions, protects resources, and serves with humility. On these counts, Secretary Herbosa has fallen short,” Leachon said.
He said Herbosa should be held accountable for his “complicity” in the transfer of P60 billion in funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the national treasury. He argued that the move “betrays public health funds” and “undermines the very institution meant to protect the Filipino people.” “Public trust is the cornerstone of leadership. It is earned not through slogans or campaign advertisements but through integrity, competence, and service,” said Leachon.
Controversies surrounding Herbosa’s term — including cases reportedly filed before the Office of the Ombudsman — raise further concerns about his leadership, he said.
In July 2025, concerned DOH employees filed a case against Herbosa before the Ombudsman over an alleged unauthorized release of P44.6 million worth of psychiatric drugs to the Rotary Club of Quezon City.
Leachon said that a month later, Herbosa was involved in an alleged P1.29-billion unliquidated cash transfer to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) for the procurement of vaccines.
In December, a graft and conflict of interest complaint was filed against Herbosa in connection with a P98-million contract for the DOH radio program “PINASigla.” And last March, Herbosa faced yet another case involving the alleged rigged procurement of Mobile Primary Care Facilities (MPCF) worth P1.8 billion, Leachon said.
Herbosa’s record “is marred by Ombudsman cases, ghost hospitals, billions worth of expired medicines, and the creation of Maifip — a program that weakens PhilHealth and undermines universal health care. These are not the hallmarks of reform, but of neglect,” Leachon said.
