Malacañang on Monday confirmed that Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has resigned and Dr. Jose Brittanio “Brix” Pujalte Jr. will take over as acting secretary of the Department of Health.

“He resigned due to health reasons. The President considered his health,” Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters in Filipino. In a text message to “Hospital MCCs, directors,” seen by Palace reporters, Herbosa said his recent operation made him realize that he needed to take care of himself.

“I will be in extensive rehabilitation for three to four months and I find it unfair that I will not be able to devote my full time and effort to important matters at the DoH. I would like to thank you all for the full support you have given my programs. Please continue working hard for the health of the Filipino people,” the message read.

Herbosa had been the subject of online rumors in recent weeks claiming he was facing removal from office over alleged complaints.

Malacañang, however, denied complaints had anything to do with his resignation.

Pujalte’s credentials

Meanwhile, Pujalte is a distinguished physician, hospital administrator, educator, and career public servant with more than three decades of experience in public health care.

He has devoted most of his professional career to government service. He joined the Department of Health in 1991 and completed his orthopedic residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in 1994.

Since 2014, he has served as Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, where he has led one of the country’s premier specialty hospitals in providing quality orthopedic care while strengthening hospital operations and patient services.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Dr. Pujalte also earned a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. He has been a Career Executive Service Eligible since 2008, reflecting his qualifications in both medical practice and public administration.

As a second-generation orthopedic surgeon, Pujalte credits his father, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, former director of the National Orthopedic Hospital, for inspiring his lifelong commitment to public healthcare.

Throughout his career, Pujalte has been recognized as a leader in the medical profession. He is a Fellow of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.

He has 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’s first chairman of the Department of Orthopedics.