Raffy Tulfo to Herbosa: Why is Glenn Baggao still handling DOH infra program?

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Raffy Tulfo asked the Department of Health why DOH Undersecretary Glenn Mathew Baggao, who faces a graft complaint over infrastructure projects involving his contractor-brother, is still in charge of the program that constructs and upgrades health facilities.

During a Senate hearing jointly held by the health, local government, and finance committees on Monday, May 11, Tulfo questioned why Baggao, who was present during the hearing, continues to head the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) Management Office.

Tulfo told Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa: “Aware ba kayo na may mga nakuhang kontrata ang DOH para magpatayo nitong mga HFEP facilities na galing kay Erni Baggao, na contractor ng EGB [Construction] na kapatid nitong si Dr. [Glenn] Baggao?”

(Are you aware that the DOH has contracts to build HFEP facilities involving Erni Baggao, a contractor of EGB Construction, who is the brother of Dr. Baggao?)

Herbosa answered: “Ang alam ko, tinanong ko siya eh, sabi niya wala namang kontrata daw ‘yung kapatid niya sa DOH.” (All I know is, I asked him, he said his brother doesn’t have a contract with the DOH.)

Erni Baggao’s EGB Construction was among the top contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August 2025 as cornering the most flood control projects in the country.

Aside from flood control, EGB is also involved in health infrastructure. A Rappler investigative report published in March 2026 found that in 2025 alone, the company bagged five contracts to build super health centers and district hospitals totaling about P141 million. Three of these contracts were from the Department of Public Works and Highways and two from the Isabela provincial government.

Marcos appointed Glenn Baggao as DOH undersecretary for the Public Health Services Cluster in 2024, while his appointment as HFEP head came in February 2026.

“When [President Marcos’] list was brought out, wala pa siya do’n [sa HFEP]…. It was Undersecretary Murillo in charge of HFEP,” Herbosa said, referring to then-undersecretary Gregorio Murillo Jr.

(When President Marcos’ list was brought out, Undersecretary Baggao wasn’t heading HFEP yet. It was Undersecretary Murillo in charge of HFEP.)

But Tulfo maintained that there is “clear conflict of interest” since Baggao is a DOH official and the projects in question, bagged by his brother, are health infrastructure projects.

In response, Baggao denied involvement in any of his brother’s projects.

“When I was designated by Secretary Ted to be the cluster head of HFEP last February 9, to be exact, these projects were already being undertaken last year pa po, so wala po akong kinalaman do’n (I have nothing to do with them),” he said.

Why not step down as HFEP head?

Herbosa said they would wait for the Office of the Ombudsman to finish its investigation and formally recommend, in writing, whether Baggao should be suspended or reassigned.

However, Tulfo and Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate health committee, insisted that the DOH should act motu proprio, or on its own accord.

“I can understand kung bata mo siya; wala tayong problema doon. Pero meron siyang kaso ngayon sa Ombudsman. Now, sana out of delicadeza, habang dinidinig ‘yung kaso niya sa Ombudsman, baka puwedeng i-assign muna siya sa ibang lugar,” Tulfo said.

(I can understand if he’s one of your men; we have no problem with that. But he’s facing a complaint before the Ombudsman. Now, out of propriety, while the Ombudsman is looking into the complaint, maybe the DOH can reassign him elsewhere.)

The senator added: “Huwag po sa main office ninyo na puwede siyang mag-influence sa mga transaksiyon na nagaganap…. Nung nalaman ‘nyo na meron palang gano’ng klaseng problema na i-finile na sa Ombudsman, you should have done something.”

(Don’t let him be in your main office, where he can still influence transactions. When you found out that there was such an issue filed with the Ombudsman, you should have done something.)

Responding to a question from Hontiveros, Baggao said he is considering stepping down as HFEP head while the complaint against him is pending. He also told senators that he initially refused to lead HFEP, and supposedly asked Herbosa thrice to relieve him of his post.

Other graft complaints

Tulfo also brought up a separate graft complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman against Herbosa and Baggao for allegedly rigging the P1.8-billion procurement of mobile clinics.

Herbosa answered: “Madaming cases na nasa news. Anonymous [sila] magfa-file…so kailangan hintayin ko ‘yung Ombudsman investigation. If the Ombudsman says there is a prima facie case at kailangang kasuhan, puwede na nating i-suspend ’yon. ’Yun ang understanding ko of the law.”

(There are many cases in the news. The complainants file anonymously, so I have to wait for the Ombudsman’s investigation. If the Ombudsman says there’s a prima facie case and someone needs to be sued, we can hand down a suspension. That’s my understanding of the law.)

The health secretary is also facing another graft complaint stemming from P1.5 billion worth of “wasted” vaccines and medicines under his term.

The Senate committees looked into various HFEP issues, such as unfinished facilities, underutilized funds, and lack of medical personnel to man completed health centers. – Rappler.com