Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado as the new health secretary following the resignation of Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr., Malacañang announced Monday, August 10.
Pujalte voluntarily resigned after a month in office, citing health reasons, Palace press officer Claire Castro said. Asked whether his resignation had anything to do with the controversies he was facing, the official declined to comment.
“Kung ito naman po ay nakasampa na sa Ombudsman, nasa kamay na po ng Ombudsman ang pag-iimbestiga kung ano man ang naireklamo laban kay dating Secretary Pujalte,” Castro said.
[Translation: If this has already been filed with the Ombudsman, then it is now in the hands of the Ombudsman to investigate whatever complaint has been filed against former Secretary Pujalte.]
Pujalte, who was appointed head of the Department of Health only on July 13, faced a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly delaying the procurement of about P3 billion of tuberculosis medicines. He was also accused of violating the ban on casino gambling for government officials. Pujalte has denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, Mercado, who has led the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) since February 2025, has been promoted to secretary.
He was a former medical director of Daniel Mercado Medical Center and president and CEO of various hospitals.
“Ang nais ng pangulo ay unahin ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa kanilang kalusugan at hindi naman din bago si Dr. Mercado dahil siya rin ang tumayo na President and CEO ng PhilHealth so alam ni Dr. Mercado ang gusto at nais ng pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.
[Translation: The president wants to prioritize the welfare of our fellow Filipinos when it comes to their health. Dr. Mercado is also not new to this because he previously served as PhilHealth president and CEO, so Dr. Mercado knows what the President wants and what he hopes to achieve for our fellow Filipinos
Meanwhile, Beverly Lorraine Ho, chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., will serve as the new PhilHealth chief. Ho was a DOH assistant secretary, undersecretary, and deputy spokesperson from 2022 to 2024.
