Department of Health Undersecretary Glenn Mathew Baggao faces graft and administrative complaints before the Ombudsman over an alleged conflict of interest in health infrastructure projects awarded to his brother's firm. A group of concerned health workers filed the complaint on Thursday, April 30, 2026. They accuse Baggao of using his position to influence fund allocation.
A group of concerned health workers filed graft and administrative complaints against Department of Health Undersecretary Glenn Mathew Baggao before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, April 30, 2026. They accuse him of violating anti-graft and procurement laws through a conflict of interest, alleging his role in the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) allowed him to steer billions of pesos in funds toward health infrastructure projects awarded to EGB Construction, owned by his brother Erni Baggao.
EGB Construction secured at least five projects in 2025 worth nearly P141 million, including super health centers in Isabela and upgrades to district hospitals, according to a Rappler investigative report published in March. The firm also received earlier contracts worth hundreds of millions while Baggao was still a hospital chief. The complainants described Baggao's "concentration of power—simultaneously running national programs and regional hospitals—as strategically designed to bypass oversight and enable systemic manipulation."
The complaint cites violations of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), and RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). Administrative charges include grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service, and gross inefficiency. The group urged the Ombudsman to investigate, suspend Baggao, and revoke his HFEP authority to prevent further misuse of funds.
Rappler sought comment from Baggao but received no response as of writing. Erni Baggao served on the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board until September 2025 and was flagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson in a Senate blue ribbon probe on flood control projects.
