Ex-DOH consultant faces libel raps

MANILA, Philippines — Physician Francisco Cruz, a former consultant of the Department of Health, is facing criminal cases of libel after he accused DOH Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee Suy and 17 others of benifitting from the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia procurement from French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur.

Other than Lee Suy, officer-in-charge and director of the DOH Family Health Office physician Joyce Ducusin also filed a libel case against Cruz for his “public and malicious imputation of a crime” in connection with the controversial anti-dengue immunization program.
Last January, Cruz accused several health officials of being members of a so-called “DOH mafia.”  

Cruz also attended a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing where he accused the health officials of collusion and alleged conspiracy to commit acts detrimental to the Filipino people.     

Cruz was reportedly appointed as DOH consultant by then DOH secretary Paulyn Ubial despite the non-renewal of his Professional Regulation Commission license.     

“I vehemently deny the allegations of Dr. Cruz. They are malicious, baseless, unfounded, fabricated and fake news. They were made solely for the purpose of casting dishonor and discrediting my person and integrity, which I have painstakingly built through the years of practice of my medical profession and hardwork,” Lee Suy said in a statement.