Marcos Jr. appoints Teodoro Herbosa as new DOH secretary

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as the new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) on June 6, 2023.

Herbosa, who took his oath before the President, pledged to advance universal healthcare by reinforcing health sector strategies and implementing reforms.

He has extensive experience, having served as DOH undersecretary, regional director for NCR, and special adviser to the National Task Force against COVID-19.

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and the DOH, including former officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, backed Herbosa's appointment.

However, the Alliance of Health Workers opposed the appointment, and concerns were raised regarding his plans for the COVID-19 vaccination program and low vaccination rates for other diseases.

PCP President Rontgene Solante advised Herbosa to focus on laying down directions on how to approach the COVID-19 problem, particularly vaccination, especially after the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency.

Private hospitals hope he will address regulatory pain points and staffing problems.

Herbosa's appointment has also sparked backlash due to his past contentious remarks, including a 2020 Facebook post containing a "rape joke".

Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Health Care (CBCP-ECHC) expressed hope that Herbosa would address pressing health issues in the country.