PhilHealth president Edwin Mercado appointed as new DOH chief

ByJustpaste.in August 10, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado is now the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), replacing recently appointed Jose Pujalte Jr., Malacañang announced on Monday, August 10.

Mercado had been serving as the head of the state insurer since February 2025.

Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing that Pujalte, a veteran orthopedic surgeon who was appointed to the position last July 13, just a month ago, has submitted his resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. due to health reasons.

Pujalte’s predecessor, Teodoro Herbosa, also cited health concerns when he resigned in July.

Pujalte has faced allegations since taking the helm of the DOH. On July 31, a complaint letter addressed to the Palace claimed that he has been gambling at casinos, which is illegal for government officials.

Last Wednesday, August 5, a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman accused Pujalte of delaying the bidding for tuberculosis medicines to allegedly favor a certain bidder.

When asked whether Pujalte’s resignation was linked to these allegations, Castro said: “Sa ngayon ay hindi pa po natin masasagot. Siya naman po ay boluntaryong nag-resign…. Nasa kamay na po ng Ombudsman ang pag-iimbestiga kung ano man po ang naireklamo laban kay dating secretary Pujalte.”

(We cannot answer that at this moment. He resigned voluntarily. The investigation into the complaint filed against former secretary Pujalte is now in the hands of the Ombudsman.)

New PhilHealth chief

Castro also announced that Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, a former undersecretary and assistant secretary of the health department, will succeed Mercado as the new president and CEO of PhilHealth.

Ho is currently the chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, a subsidiary of Ayala Corporation.

She also served as DOH deputy spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2020 to 2022. – Rappler.com