Health Secretary Herbosa Resigns Citing Health Reasons; Pujalte Named Acting DOH Chief

MANILA, Philippines — Citing health reasons, Teodoro Herbosa has resigned as Department of Health secretary, and President Marcos named yesterday Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) head Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. as acting DOH chief. Asked whether the graft charges filed against Herbosa before the Office of the Ombudsman had something to do with his decision to quit, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos’ primary consideration in accepting the former DOH chief’s resignation was his health. Herbosa underwent bilateral knee replacement surgery on July 7. In a statement, he said: “After the operation on my knees, I need to complete my physical therapy to be able to fully recover.” “I decided to submit my resignation letter to President Marcos Jr. I want to wholeheartedly thank the President for the trust he gave me in leading the department,” Herbosa said. Castro said Pujalte brings to the DOH his more than three decades of experience as a physician, hospital administrator, educator and public servant dedicated to advancing public health care. Pujalte will serve in an acting capacity for the time being because Congress is in recess. He had served as POC chief since 2014. “With his entry into the DOH, Doctor Pujalte Jr. is expected to lead the agency in continuing President Marcos Jr.’s efforts to further strengthen the country’s health care system, improve access to quality health services and promote better health for all,” Castro said at a briefing. Pujalte began his career in the DOH in 1991 and completed his orthopedic residency at the POC in 1994. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Pujalte earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Pujalte’s father, Jose M. Pujalte, also served as director of then National Orthopedic Hospital during the administration of Marcos’ late father and namesake. Deputy Speaker and former health chief Janette Garin welcomed the appointment of Pujalte, whom she praised for “his professionalism, competence and genuine commitment to public service.” Garin, also a medical doctor, recalled that she and Pujalte shared the same advocacy of protecting the country’s government specialty hospitals from privatization. “We fought together to keep our specialty hospitals public because we firmly believed that quality specialized health care should remain accessible to every Filipino, particularly the poor who depend on government health institutions,” she said. Garin expressed optimism that Pujalte’s leadership will “help restore public confidence in the DOH and further strengthen the delivery of health care services across the country.” While in POC, Garin said the new DOH chief “demonstrated steadfast leadership in advancing specialized health care and improving hospital services.” “The DOH has gone through many challenges over the past years. Various issues have inevitably weighed down the institution and affected public confidence. I’m optimistic that Pujalte’s leadership will help advance President Marcos’ health priorities by strengthening primary health care,” she added. For his part, Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan party-list said Pujalte “will have his hands full” as the problems in the country’s health system “are far, deep and wide.” “We hope Secretary Pujalte takes on the hard and urgent task of instituting far-reaching reforms to transform our health systems. Our citizens should keep watch over the DOH,” Cendaña said. “Maybe it’s about time we declare a health crisis in our country. The Marcos administration has so much deficiencies and shortage in ensuring that Filipinos can avail of affordable health care and services for all of us,” he said. The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) also welcomed Pujalte’s appointment, citing his solidarity with health workers and other stakeholders in opposing the privatization of public hospitals, including the POC. “We call on the new DOH leadership to immediately address the longstanding concerns of health workers and the Filipino people. Secretary Pujalte must chart a different path by ensuring genuine consultation with health workers and stakeholders, improving the conditions of health care workers and advancing policies that prioritize public health over privatization and profit-driven interests,” the alliance said. It also said the pursuit of accountability for Herbosa should not stop with his resignation. “Public office is a public trust, and resignation from office does not absolve any public official from answering complaints and allegations raised in connection with the performance of their duties,” the group said. “While AHW respects secretary Herbosa’s decision to prioritize his health, stepping down from office does not erase the numerous complaints and concerns raised by concerned DOH employees, health workers and other stakeholders during his tenure.” It said Herbosa should be made to face a thorough, independent and transparent investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman and other appropriate oversight bodies. “His resignation should have come much earlier, as his tenure has failed to bring meaningful improvements to the conditions of health workers and the country’s public health care system,” the AHW said. Independent health reform advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon said the new DOH leadership must prioritize PhilHealth funding. “The DOH must deliver results in less than two years. Leadership in health is not about prestige – it is about urgency, discipline and compassion. Every Filipino deserves timely care, dignity and hope,” Leachon said. Malacañang, meanwhile, defended the appointment of former budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman as chairperson and CEO of state-run Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines. Pangandaman resigned from the Cabinet after being linked to the flood control scam. The bank became a subsidiary of Development Bank of the Philippines in 2008. “Perhaps there is nothing wrong if he (President Marcos) appoints someone who he thinks can work well,” Castro said. “Even if they are allies, non-allies, relatives, non-relatives, the President has been open to investigation, not only those who were part of the previous administration, but also his subordinates, his Cabinet secretaries or anyone under the executive,” she said. “If anyone is involved (in anomalies), the investigation continues,” she added. “If they have evidence against former secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the President is open to any kind of investigation. It doesn’t mean that the President is rendering judgment or absolving someone,” the Palace press officer did point out. – Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla, Rhodina Villanueva