Marcos names Edwin Mercado as new health secretary, replacing Pujalte after less than a month

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 11, 2026

Photo courtesy: PNA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), replacing Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr., who is stepping down from the post less than a month after his appointment as health chief.

Malacañang said Pujalte’s resignation was due to health reasons. The Palace did not respond to questions on whether the departure was connected to issues the outgoing secretary had been facing. 

Before his appointment to the DOH, Mercado served as acting president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) starting February 2025.

Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro said the president’s priority is the welfare of Filipinos when it comes to their health, and noted that Mercado is not new to the role, having previously headed PhilHealth, which she said means he understands the president’s goals for the Filipino people.

“Ang nais po ng Pangulo ay unahin ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan pagdating po sa kanilang kalusugan at hindi na bago si Dr. Mercado dahil siya rin ang tumayo na President at CEO ng PhilHealth kaya alam po ni Dr. Mercado ang gusto ng Pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan” Usec. Castro said. 

[“What the president wants is to prioritize the welfare of our fellow Filipinos when it comes to their health, and Dr. Mercado is not new to this, since he also served as president and CEO of PhilHealth, so Dr. Mercado knows what the president wants for our fellow Filipinos.”]

Meanwhile, Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho has been appointed as the new president and CEO of PhilHealth, taking over from Mercado.

Ho currently serves as chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. and has previously held several senior positions within the DOH.

The leadership shake-up comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the country’s health institutions, though the Palace has not detailed whether Pujalte’s exit relates to any specific issue. Further statements from the DOH or Malacañang on the transition are expected in the coming days.