Marcos’ lead physician Zacate named FDA chief

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed his lead physician, Dr. Samuel Zacate, to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Wednesday.

Asked if Zacate being the lead doctor of Marcos was a factor in his new appointment, she said the new FDA chief is qualified for the post.

"He is qualified plus he has several distinctions so we are not sure if his being a personal physician factored into this considering he ticks all the boxes, meaning lahat ng requirements bilang FDA [chief] he fulfilled," Cruz-Angeles said.

Cruz-Angeles said Zacate is a known public health advocate with years of expertise in medicine and medical consultancy in various government offices.

He was a diplomate of the Philippine Society for Venereology and a fellow of the International College of Surgeons, she added.

Meanwhile, other new appointees include the following:

• retired Brigadier General Roman "Popong" Felix - Secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs;
• retired Major General Ariel Caculitan - OPAMA Undersecretary for Military Affairs;
• retired general General Isagani Nerez - Undersecretary for Police Affairs; and
• Attorney Nesauro Firme - Judicial and Bar Council.

Later in the day, Cruz-Angeles also confirmed the appointment of Carlo Dimayuga as acting chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). — RSJ, GMA News