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MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Jose Brittanio “Brix” Pujalte Jr. was out of the Cabinet on Monday after just 28 days on the job, with Malacañang saying he had resigned for “health reasons” amid mounting complaints over his handling of a P3.225-billion tuberculosis drug procurement and allegations of casino gambling.
Palace press officer Claire Castro announced that President Marcos had accepted Pujalte’s resignation and appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado, president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), as his replacement.
Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. and a former Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary and undersecretary, will take over as PhilHealth president and CEO.
Castro did not say whether the complaints against Pujalte had any bearing on his sudden departure, saying only that he had voluntarily resigned because of health reasons.
