2 DOH undersecretaries resign

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday confirmed that two Department of Health (DOH) undersecretaries, who are facing complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman have resigned.

In a viber message to reporters, Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed that DOH Undersecretary for Financial and Supply Chain Management Services Randy Escolango and Undersecretary for Universal Health Care-Health Services Cluster Lead for Luzon Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggao have resigned.

Baggao, who was appointed as Health undersecretary for the Public Health Services Cluster in 2024, was the subject of a graft complaint filed by the Concerned Health Workers group last April. 

READ: DOH Exec face graft complaint as bro allegedly bags project worth P140-M

The group alleged that Baggao violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act “for manifest partiality and glaring conflict of interest” after his brother allegedly obtained over P140 million worth of infrastructure projects, including hospitals, during his term.

READ: Herbosa, DOH undersecretary face raps over alleged fiscal lapses

Meanwhile, Escolango also faced a complaint, alongside former health secretary Teodoro Herbosa in June over his alleged appointment in multiple key positions, disregarding “standard fiscal checkpoints”, according to the complainants.

Castro, however, did not disclose any details regarding their resignation./gsg