Camille Naredo

Dr. Edwin Mercado takes his oath as Health Secretary before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang, August 11, 2026. Handout/PCO

Article (news)

ABS-CBN Research and Verification Unit

<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/1786437129011HPaUNb9bYAA2Yvh.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Dr. Edwin Mercado takes his oath as Health Secretary before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang, August 11, 2026. Handout/PCO"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dr. Edwin Mercado takes his oath as Health Secretary before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang, August 11, 2026. <em>Handout/PCO</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Edwin Mercado as the new Department of Health (DOH) Secretary. Mercado took his oath of office on Tuesday, succeeding Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/11/mercado-ho-take-oath-as-health-secretary-philhealth-chief-1242" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mercado, Ho take oath as Health Secretary, PhilHealth chief</a></div><p>Before his appointment as DOH Secretary, Mercado served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), a position he assumed on February 4, 2025.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/10/edwin-mercado-is-new-doh-chief-1544" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pujalte resigns; Edwin Mercado is new DOH chief</a></div><p>Pujalte’s tenure as health secretary lasted less than a month, having assumed office on July 13, 2026 before being replaced by Mercado.</p><p>During a press briefing on August 10, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Pujalte stepped down voluntarily due to health concerns. His departure came amid allegations concerning the procurement of tuberculosis commodities. He also faced allegations linking him to gambling activities, which he denied.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/6/doh-chief-calls-move-to-freeze-procurement-of-tb-commodities-due-diligence-1948" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DOH chief calls move to freeze procurement of TB commodities due diligence</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>Educational background</strong></div><p>Mercado earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, graduating cum laude in 1983 and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1987 from the University of the Philippines. He obtained an Executive Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina in 2020.</p><p>He later underwent orthopedic residency training and pursued fellowship programs in the Medical City Dallas, the University of Cincinnati, the New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, and The Christ Hospital Cincinnati in the United States.</p><p>In 2023, he completed a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School.</p><p>Since July 2023, he has been a fellow under Dr. Chunling Lu at Harvard Medical School.</p><p>He is researching the cost of per-member payments for global inpatient coverage and is involved in a study on using artificial intelligence to help community workers to deliver primary care.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Career in healthcare and hospital administration</strong></div><p>From 1998 to 2000, Mercado served as Medical Director of Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center in Tanuan, Batangas. He also led several hospitals as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2000 to 2016.</p><p>Mercado has served as the Vice Chairman of the Mercado General Hospital Incorporated (MGHI) since March 2021. MGHI Operates the QualiMed Health Network, which he helped build as its founding President and Chief Executive Officer.</p><p>Beyond hospital administration, he worked as a consultant for the Asian Development Bank and the Zuellig Family Foundation and was part of DOH’s Strategic Advisory Group on Universal Health Care implementation.</p>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Edwin Mercado as the new Department of Health (DOH) Secretary. Mercado took his oath of office on Tuesday, succeeding Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Edwin Mercado as the new Department of Health (DOH) Secretary. Mercado took his oath of office on Tuesday, succeeding Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr.

Who is Edwin Mercado, the new DOH Secretary?

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Who is Edwin Mercado, the new DOH Secretary?

ABS-CBN Research and Verification Unit

Published August 11, 2026 04:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Health

DOH

Secretary

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Edwin Mercado

Jose Brix Pujalte Jr.

PhilHealth

Claire Castro

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.