The previous secretary had to step down due to health reasons.
On Monday, July 13, the Malacañan Palace announced the appointment of Dr. Jose Pujalte, Jr. as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).
Pujalte will replace outgoing Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who confirmed tendered his resignation due to health reasons, specifically his physical therapy after undergoing a knee surgery last week.
The new Health Secretary has more than three decades of experience as a physician, hospital administrator, educator, and public servant, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro.
Pujalte first joined the DOH in 1991 and completed his orthopedic residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994.
He would later get his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
In 2008, Pujalte was recognized as a Career Executive Service Eligible and served as a faculty member at the University of the Philippines Manila, FEU Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, and San Beda College of Medicine.
“Itinalaga ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ngayong araw bilang Kalihim ng Department of Health si Dr. Jose S. Pujalte Jr., baon ang malawak na karanasan at natatanging pamumuno bilang doktor, hospital administrator, guro, at lingkod-bayan na may mahigit na tatlong dekada sa pagsusulong ng pampublikong pangkalusugan,” Castro said.
The Palace Press Officer also noted that Pujalte will be tasked to continue moves to strengthen the healthcare system of the country.
Meanwhile, outgoing Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has also shared his farewell letter publicly and said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa pagkakataong ibinigay sa akin bilang ika-tatlumpung Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan.”
“Nitong July 7, 2026, naging matagumpay ang aking bilateral knee replacement surgery. Matapos ang operasyon sa pareho kong tuhod, kailangan kong makumpleto ang aking physical therapy para sa tuluyan kong paggaling,” he noted.
As such, he noted that the daily work at the department must not be affected by his rehabilitation and therapy, prompting him to resign from his post, where he was first appointed in 2023.
“Dahil dito, nagdesisyon akong magpasa ng aking resignation letter kay President Bong Bong Marcos Jr.,” he said. “Buong puso akong nagpapasalamat sa kaniya dahil sa buong tiwala niya sa aking paglilingkod sa DOH.”
He also noted some of the programs in the healthcare sector that were formed by the administration and he helped implement in the past years, such ad the Zero Balance Billing, BUCAS centers, PuroKalusugan, PhilHealth YAKAP, GAMOT, and eMAIFIP.
“Makaaasa ang Pangulo na patuloy akong susuporta sa kaniyang adhikain para sa mga Pilipino,” he maintained his support for Marcos.
Lastly, he also sent his well wishes for his replacement and his message of thanks to the department. “Isang pagbati sa bagong Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan-Sec. Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. Dasal ko ang patuloy na kaayusan at kapayapaan sa mahal nating bansang Pilipinas. Maraming salamat DOH team.”
