Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa tenders his courtesy resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for health reasons, and Marcos ultimately names Dr. Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. as the new Department of Health (DOH) secretary. Palace spokesperson Claire Castro confirms Herbosa’s resignation and the appointment, and Pujalte takes his oath in Malacañang. Several outlets describe Herbosa’s departure as following a period of scrutiny during his four-year term, including concerns raised by health workers’ groups that led to a request to the Office of the Ombudsman related to alleged graft involving a state-funded business-class trip to Switzerland by Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Albert Domingo.
After assuming office, Pujalte begins implementing internal changes. The DOH says he orders a leadership realignment and interim assignments across the DOH Central Office, Centers for Health Development, and selected operating units to ensure continuity of health services nationwide while the department transitions under new leadership.
Health workers and advocacy groups welcome the appointment while urging the incoming secretary to address unresolved healthcare problems left by Herbosa’s administration. Malacañang and the DOH do not appear to comment further on the earlier reporting about potential succession before the formal announcement.
