Jamaine Punzalan

Resigned Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa talks with other Cabinet officials on June 13, 2023 at Malacañang Palace. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool/File

Article (news)

MARCOS

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178392334111520230613-marcos-sectoral-meeting-PPA09 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Resigned Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa talks with other Cabinet officials on June 13, 2023 at Malacañang Palace. Yummie Dingding, PPA pool/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has resigned from his post, Malacanang confirmed on Monday, adding that Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. had been named as his successor. </p><p>In a message to DOH employees, Herbosa cited his health as a reason for his resignation.</p><p>&quot;I will be on extensive rehabilitation for 3-4 months and I find it unfair that I will not be able to devote my full time and effort to important matters of DOH,&quot; the letter read.</p><p>Asked if Herbosa’s resignation was tied to several <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/10/herbosa-claims-doh-mafia-behind-complaints-vs-him-1715">graft complaints </a>filed against him, Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said, “Hindi po nabanggit ang patungkol po d’yan.”</p><p>“Ang isinaalang-alang ng Pangulo ay ang kanyang kalusugan,” she said in a press briefing.</p><p>Herbosa has faced several graft complaints due to<a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/31/herbosa-16-other-doh-officials-face-graft-complaints-over-p1-4-b-expired-undelivered-meds-1536"> alleged wastage of medicines</a>, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/16/herbosa-other-doh-officials-face-fresh-raps-over-alleged-p145-9-m-fund-diversion-1517">supposed diversion of health funds</a>, and <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/8/ombudsman-urged-to-probe-doh-execs-over-switzerland-airfare-splurge-1453">travel upgrade</a>, among others. </p><p>Herbosa has alleged that a so-called <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/10/herbosa-claims-doh-mafia-behind-complaints-vs-him-1715">“DOH mafia”</a> could be behind a series of complaints filed against him. </p><p>In his letter, Herbosa also said he is leaving a stronger DOH that is working for the Filipino people. </p><p>&quot;They now appreciate a DOH that has Specialty Hospitals, BUCAS puroKalusugan, Yakap, Gamot, nutrition and immunization. If I have failed anyone during my stint, I apologize. Tao lang po,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>NEW DOH CHIEF </strong></div><p>Pujalte, the new DOH chief, previously served as administrator of Philippine Orthopedic Center.</p><p>He joined the DOH in 1991 and completed his residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994.</p><p>A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Pujalte also earned a master&#x27;s degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He is a fellow of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons, and founded the Philippine Shoulder Society, the Philippine Spine Society, served as one of the youngest Presidents of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, and became President of the ASEAN Orthopedic Association.</p><p>As a second-generation orthopedic surgeon, Pujalte has credited his father Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, former director of the National Orthopedic Hospital, for inspiring his lifelong commitment to public healthcare. </p><p>He further honed his expertise through advanced fellowship training in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, specializing in shoulder surgery, total joint reconstruction, spine surgery, and joint replacement.</p><p>He has also served as a faculty member at the University of the Philippines Manila, FEU-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, and San Beda College of Medicine, where he became the institution&#x27;s first Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics. </p><p>“Baon [niya] ang malawak na karanasan at natatanging pamumuno bilang doktor, hospital administrator, guro, at lingkod-bayan na may mahigit tatlong dekada sa pagsusulong ng pampublikong kalusugan,” Castro said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zs0PRnOqCoU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Dr. Jose Pujalte, Jr. as the new head of the Department of Health. </p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Dr. Jose Pujalte, Jr. as the new head of the Department of Health.

Herbosa resigns as DOH chief; Pujalte named successor

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Herbosa resigns as DOH chief; Pujalte named successor

Jamaine Punzalan,

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 13, 2026 01:28 PM PHT

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Updated July 13, 2026 02:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Health

Ted Herbosa

Jose Pujalte

DOH

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos cabinet

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