Teodoro Herbosa has resigned as Department of Health (DOH) secretary due to health reasons following his recent knee replacement surgery.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted his resignation and appointed Philippine Orthopedic Center chief Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. as acting DOH secretary.
Pujalte, a physician and hospital administrator with over three decades of public service, is expected to lead efforts to strengthen the country’s health care system.
Health groups and lawmakers welcomed his appointment but urged him to address long-standing issues in public health services and workers’ welfare.
Meanwhile, groups said Herbosa’s resignation should not stop ongoing investigations into complaints and allegations linked to his tenure.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 14, 2026
