World
Marcos Appoints Edwin Mercado as New Health Secretary
PhilHealth President Edwin Mercado has been appointed by President Marcos as the new secretary of the Department of Health, replacing Jose Pujalte Jr. just weeks into his tenure.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Edwin Mercado, the President of PhilHealth, as the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). This decision was announced on August 10, 2026, and follows a recent cabinet reshuffle.
Mercado replaces Dr. Jose Pujalte Jr., who had taken over the position less than a month earlier. Pujalte succeeded Teodoro Herbosa to lead the DOH, but his tenure was brief, lasting only weeks before the new appointment.
The shift in leadership comes amid ongoing changes within the cabinet and reflects the administration's strategy regarding health sector management.