President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), replacing Dr. Jose Pujalte Jr.
Mercado steps into the Cabinet role after serving as the Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) since February 2025. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, he holds a Master of Medical Science in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School (2023) and an Executive Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina. His administrative career includes serving as Medical Director at Daniel Mercado Medical Center from 1998 to 2000 and leading multiple hospital networks as President and CEO from 2000 to 2016.
In a corresponding leadership shift at the state health insurer, President Marcos designated Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho as the new Acting President and CEO of PhilHealth. Ho transitions from her post as Chief Health Officer at Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. She previously served in senior positions within the DOH, including Assistant Secretary from January 2023 to January 2024, Undersecretary from July 2022 to December 2022, and DOH Deputy Spokesperson from March 2020 to December 2023.
Addressing inquiries on the departure of outgoing Secretary Pujalte, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said Pujalte voluntarily tendered his resignation citing health reasons, which President Marcos accepted. Pressed on whether the resignation was tied to pending allegations against Pujalte, Castro said that any complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman remain under the independent jurisdiction of the Ombudsman to investigate.
The Palace emphasized that President Marcos instructed Mercado to prioritize the health and general welfare of the public. Castro also said Mercado’s recent stewardship of PhilHealth equips him with a direct understanding of the executive branch’s healthcare priorities for the country.