Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday accused Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa of politicizing Department of Health funds after claiming he was no longer allowed to refer indigent patients to government hospitals.
Cayetano said he was informed by sources within the DOH that his referral privileges had been removed and warned he would bring patients directly to the department if the issue was not resolved.
He criticized Herbosa over the implementation of the policy ending the use of politicians’ guarantee letters under the DOH’s medical assistance program, arguing that healthcare assistance should not be influenced by politics.
Cayetano also urged Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to ensure that public health funds are distributed fairly and without political bias.
As of posting time, the Department of Health had not publicly responded to Cayetano’s allegations.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 20, 2026
