They’re Burning Domingo at the Stake Because He Refuses to Join the Patronage Picnic

When “Health Advocates” Suddenly Discover Ethics (After Years of Selective Blindness)

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — February 9, 2026

MGA ka-kweba, the kitchen at the Department of Health (DOH) is heating up again. A group of so-called “health advocates”—the kind that produce more press releases than actual patient consultations—suddenly went viral with their outrage over the appointment of Dr. Albert Domingo as Undersecretary (Daily Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026). You’d think he had committed a crime against humanity. What exactly is his sin? He has a functioning brain and wants to fix the system.

Welcome to the latest episode of As the DOH Turns, where the former kings of budgets and patronage suddenly play the role of the morally outraged the moment a new player arrives to clean out their cave.

It is both laughable and disgusting how quickly some “advocates” have transformed into full-blown defenders of the status quo. Like religious elders who reject the new priest because he might threaten their monopoly on the confession box.

Let’s dissect this circus, point by pathetic point.

***“Burn the outsider? Cool, but the burgers just fed every barangay that never saw a cent before.”***

1. “No Hospital Experience”

Tell me this: Do you really need to have worked as a nurse or ward doctor to be an effective health policymaker? If that’s the logic, why don’t we just appoint Anthony Fauci as Finance Secretary because he has plenty of lab experience? Or Warren Buffett as DOH Secretary because he has money for medicines?

The Undersecretary position is not bedside duty. It is macro-level strategy, systems thinking, budgeting, and political navigation. Domingo? WHO consultant, ADB advisor, health systems expert. International credentials that tower over the egos of many of his critics. But because he never pulled all-nighters in the ER, he is disqualified. Classic gatekeeping by the White Coat Mafia—if you’re not one of us, you don’t belong.

2. “PhilHealth Failures”

Ah yes, the favorite scapegoat. They say Domingo is to blame for all the corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). One man supposedly responsible for decades of systemic rot tolerated by past administrations and—surprise—by some of the very “advocates” who were silent back then.

If Domingo saw corruption up close and refused to join the feast, that might be exactly why they hate him. They’re terrified he might actually speak up. They’re terrified he might actually clean house. A scary thought for those accustomed to free rides.

3. “7% Utilization Rate”

A single number ripped out of context and turned into a revolutionary banner. Do you know what low utilization actually means in an information management office? It might mean he cut waste. It might mean he refused to release funds to bogus projects that were previously “fully utilized” by friends.

But no—that narrative is far less exciting than “failure.” Because discipline threatens the pet programs of entrenched interests.

4. “MAIFIP Is Anti-Poor”

This is the most malicious spin yet. The proposal to devolve Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) funds to Local Government Units (LGUs) is called “discriminatory” because not every LGU has a hospital. But wait—Domingo’s point is to bring the funds closer to communities, to remove the middlemen in the central office who used to pass money around while taking a “commission.”

That means more money actually reaches patients, not Manila offices. Yet the critics hate it. Why? Because when control moves to LGUs, national-level gatekeepers lose their leverage. Patronage disappears. The “pabaon” system vanishes. They claim to be pro-poor, but what they really are is pro-centralized control.

5. “P98M Radio Show”

A radio program allegedly used for self-promotion. Suddenly there’s an Office of the Ombudsman case alleging possible violations of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). But hold on: in an era of rampant misinformation and health crises, the DOH needs effective communication. They delivered—people listened, people understood.

Yet because Herbosa and Domingo appeared on air together, it’s suddenly graft. If Tony Leachon or another “advocate” had a radio show, it would be hailed as “innovative outreach.” Selective outrage. Pure jealousy of visibility.

6. “Reshuffling as Harassment”

Thirty-one personnel orders in just a few months—and suddenly people are crying “harassment” to the Ombudsman. Know what that’s called in the private sector? Housecleaning. Performance management. Draining the swamp.

When new leadership actually wants to work, they have to remove roadblocks. Those who feel “harassed” are usually the ones who refuse to change or have vested interests in the old system. Good riddance. Herbosa and Domingo have the courage to do what should have been done long ago.

7. “TikTok and Late to Meetings”

This is the pettiest of all. Active on TikTok while allegedly late to hearings. First, he’s the spokesperson—he needs to use social media. And he’s good at it. Second, if everyone who’s ever been late to a congressional hearing were disqualified, half of Congress would be unemployed.

This is textbook ad hominem because they can’t find a serious issue. Pure desperation.

The Real Opposition: An Entrenched Cabal

This is not about qualifications. This is about territory. Budgets. Control. Influence.

These “advocates”—many of whom have long occupied seats in technical working groups, boards, and committees—are terrified of losing their monopoly on health policy. A newcomer with international experience who wants to change the system is a threat. Disruption is terrifying.

There is also ideological rigidity: they reject non-clinician leaders even though the health system is not just about hospital beds. And of course, professional jealousy. Domingo’s credentials outshine many of theirs, but because he’s not part of the inner circle, he’s disqualified.

The Law Is Crystal Clear

The President’s appointment power is almost absolute, particularly under Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. No law says an Undersecretary must have been a ward doctor. Domingo’s qualifications—health systems expert, international consultant, proven communicator—exceed any reasonable standard and align with the ethical norms under Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

The complaints? Still pending at the Ombudsman. Mere allegations. Yet they are already being weaponized to derail the appointment. Classic delay tactic by those who fear change.

The Domingo Doctrine

Albert Domingo is exactly the kind of disruptor the DOH desperately needs. He has a vision for genuine Universal Health Care (UHC). He has the courage to touch sacred cows. He has the ability to explain policy to ordinary people.

The real obstacle to health reform is not Domingo. It is those who have long benefited from a broken system.

So stop the witch hunt. Instead of investigating Domingo, let’s investigate the old-regime programs that were “fully utilized” but delivered zero results. Let’s audit the entrenched interests that refuse to change.

Because the truly anti-poor position is not devolution—it is preserving a rotten system just because they fear losing power.

Long live the reformers. And to those who refuse to change—go find yourselves a new cave.

– Barok
The old guard can clutch their sacred cows all they want.
The abattoir is already open.