New complaint filed vs DOH chief Pujalte over alleged TB drug procurement freeze

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. is facing another complaint less than a month after assuming the position, this time over allegations that he delayed the procurement of tuberculosis medicines and commodities.

Filed by “concerned health advocates for the prevention and control of tuberculosis” before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, August 5, the complaint seeks Pujalte’s suspension for freezing the bidding process for the procurement of tuberculosis drugs for adults.

Pujalte released a memorandum on July 24 directing the DOH’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau to conduct a comprehensive briefing on the department’s tuberculosis control and prevention efforts as part of the leadership transition, and to postpone all related ongoing and planned procurement activities for 2026.

The anonymous complainants said the briefing, scheduled for July 30, did not push through, which indefinitely halted the entire process.

They also alleged that Pujalte intentionally delayed the public bidding to buy time for a favored supplier.

Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection attacking the lungs. It is the leading cause of death worldwide from a single infectious agent, according to the World Health Organization.

It is also curable, as long as patients strictly adhere to daily antibiotic intake for a recommended period of six to nine months.

By allegedly delaying the procurement, the complainants argued that Pujalte’s decision could trigger a nationwide stockout and deny patients daily medicines, since manufacturing, qualification, and distribution could take nearly 10 months.

“Every day [Pujalte’s] freeze order remains active brings the nation closer to total stockout, guaranteeing that thousands of patients will be forced off their medication,” the complainants wrote.

The complainants sought an immediate investigation and the preventive suspension of the DOH secretary for alleged grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the service. The act, they alleged, was an unlawful impounding of the department’s budget.

They also alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, New Government Procurement Act, and Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Act.

Pujalte wants thorough review

In a statement released on Thursday, August 6, Pujalte said he wants a thorough review of the proposed P3 billion procurement to ensure its quality and quantity and prevent the waste or misuse of public funds.

He said the review should not be misconstrued as an attempt to delay healthcare delivery.

“Three billion pesos po ’yan ng taumbayan, hindi ’yan basta-basta. Natuto na dapat tayo sa nangyari noon sa Pharmally. Buhay ng tao ang nakataya rito,” Pujalte said.

(That is the public’s P3 billion; that’s not something that’s taken lightly. We should have learned from what happened in Pharmally. People’s lives are at stake here.)

He also denied rigging the procurement process to favor an unnamed supplier.

Pujalte said he respects the Ombudsman and is ready to submit documents to assist its investigation.

The DOH chief called the allegations part of a demolition job.

“Kahit sunod-sunod ang demolition job, hindi tayo magpapa-distract. Ang pera ng bayan at buhay ng Pilipino, kailangang protektahan,” he said. (Even with the relentless demolition job, we will not be distracted. The people’s money and the lives of Filipinos must be protected.)

First complaint against Pujalte

On July 31, less than a week prior, Pujalte faced gambling allegations from a complaint-letter submitted to Malacañang.

Anonymous “concerned citizens” alleged that Pujalte had repeatedly gambled at major casinos and used aliases to conceal his identity.

The DOH denied the allegations, saying that the health secretary visited an unnamed hotel to attend a meeting with fellow government officials.

“Tanging ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga pampublikong ospital sa rehiyon ang pinag-usapan sa naturang pagtitipon,” their statement read. (The discussion at the gathering focused solely on assisting public hospitals in the region.) – Rappler.com