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Rhodina Villanueva - The Philippine Star
August 1, 2026 | 12:00am
Pujalte did not identify the hotel where the meeting took place.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. yesterday denied going to casinos to gamble, saying he was merely invited to a meeting with Masbate and Sorsogon government officials in a hotel on July 20.
Pujalte did not identify the hotel where the meeting took place.
“The only thing discussed there is the plan to provide assistance to public hospitals in the region,” Pujalte said in a short statement.
The statement was issued after concerned citizens filed before the Presidential Complaint Center at Malacañang a report against Pujalte for alleged gambling.
According to the complaint addressed to President Marcos, Pujalte was seen gambling at Okada Manila and Solaire Resort & Casino under the aliases “Louis Santos” and “Louiss Santos” so he would not be recognized.
The complainants said Pujalte’s actions directly violated Presidential Decree 1869, which prohibits government officials and employees from playing or staying inside casinos.
The group asked Marcos to order the Anti-Red Tape Authority, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission or Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation and to place Pujalte under preventive suspension.
