Another libel rap filed vs. ex-DOH consultant over ‘mafia’ claim

Two officials of the Department of Health on Tuesday filed another libel complaint against former DOH consultant Dr. Francis Cruz over his allegations that they are part of a corruption ring at the department.

DOH Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee Suy and Joyce Ducusin, director of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau-Office of Technical Services (DPCB-OTS), filed the libel complaint at the Manila Prosecutor's Office.

A Super Radyo dzBB report said that according to the DOH officials' lawyer, they filed the complaint against Cruz because his accusations are malicious and have no basis.

Cruz was given by the prosecutor's office 15 days to reply to the complaint.

The report said that according to Cruz, he has documents and other proof of the existence of a mafia at the DOH.

Dr. Julius Lecciones, executive director of the Philippine Children's Medical Center, had also filed a libel complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office against Cruz over the same allegation.

Lecciones and the two DOH officials were named by Cruz as members of the corruption ring that allegedly benefited from big-ticket projects, including the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia vaccine purchase.

Former Health secretary Janette Garin has also said she was studying the possibility of filing a libel complaint against Cruz over the same allegation. —report from Carlo Mateo/ALG, GMA News