Amidst the latest and current buzz on social media for the past week, netizens alerted the public regarding the alleged misused and mishandled funds for cancer patients. On December 23, 2022, a Department of Health (DOH) medical specialist and Philippine Cancer Prevention and Control Program, now called the National Integrated Cancer Control Program program manager, Clarito Cairo Jr., filed a criminal complaint and graft and malversation charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against incumbent and senior officials of the public health office. 

Six names were involved in the filed complaint by Dr. Cairo Jr., the president of Unyon ng mga Kawani ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan Sentral (UKKKS). Among them were DOH Undersecretary Beverly Lorraine Ho, DOH Director IV Razel Nikka Hao, DOH Director IV Anthony Cu, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) – Financial and Supply Chain Monitoring Division head Kim Patrick Tejano, Cancer Control Division head Jan Aura Laurelle Llevado, and Former DOH director Anna Melissa Guerrero which are “liable for Grave Misconduct, Malversation of Public Funds, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”

Over 768 million pesos of funds were allegedly mishandled for cancer patients for the Cancer Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP). According to the report, only 19 sites and hospitals were given allocated funds against the 31 expected number. Among the removed hospitals from the list were Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, and Rizal Medical Center, helping cancer patients since 2011.

“Many of their CSPMAP-enrolled patients had to discontinue or abandon their treatment due to the unavailability of the life-saving medicine,” Dr. Cairo cited. 

However, DOH claimed they had provided enough for those access sites excluded from the list. 

“Other DOH hospitals alleged to have been excluded from receiving funds were provided cancer medicines and cancer assistance funds which can be used for diagnostics, treatment, and other needed support of cancer patients,” DOH said.

The health agency assured the public that they “acted in the best interest of the thousands of cancer patients,” and their integrities remain intact.