Jose Pujalte is Marcos' new DOH secretary

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named veteran orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. as the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced on Monday.

Castro also confirmed former DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s resignation due to health reasons.

READ: DOH chief Herbosa resigns; Pujalte eyed as successor

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“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Dr. Jose S. Pujalte Jr. today as Secretary of the Department of Health, who brings with him extensive experience and exceptional leadership as a physician, hospital administrator, educator, and public servant with over three decades of service in advancing public health,” the Palace official said in a briefing.

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“Upon assuming his role at the DOH, Dr. Pujalte Jr. is expected to lead the agency in continuing President Marcos Jr.’s initiatives to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, promote quality health services, and advance good health for all.”

Pujalte earned his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He completed his orthopedic residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994.

In 2008, he was recognized as Career Executive Service Eligible. He also served as a faculty member at the University of the Philippines-Manila, Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, and San Beda College of Medicine.

Allegations vs. Herbosa

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In June, Herbosa came under scrutiny after a health workers’ group asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate him and Health Undersecretary Albert Domingo for possible graft over a state-funded business-class trip to Switzerland.

At a Palace briefing last January, Herbosa denied rumors of his removal from the Cabinet, saying he continued to fulfill Marcos’ mandate to improve the healthcare system for Filipinos.

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In July 2025, Herbosa and five other DOH officials were charged with multiple corruption cases before the Office of the Ombudsman over P44.6 million worth of mental health drugs.

The cases stemmed from the questionable and disproportionate allocation of government-procured psychiatric medications to the Rotary Club of Quezon City.

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In December that year, some health personnel and good governance watchdogs filed criminal and administrative complaints against Herbosa and two other high-ranking DOH officials for alleged conflict of interest and “self-promotion” in their roles as radio anchors. /mcm/coa