Who is Edwin Mercado, the new DOH chief?

The Department of Health (DOH) is undergoing another leadership change after Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr. stepped down as secretary less than a month after taking office.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Health secretary, replacing Pujalte, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Before his appointment, Mercado had served as acting president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) since February 2025.

Mercado previously served as medical director of the Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center from 1998 to 2000 and as president and CEO of various hospitals from 2000 to 2016.

He also worked as a consultant for the Asian Development Bank and the Zuellig Family Foundation and was a member of the DOH’s Strategic Advisory Group for Universal Health Care Implementation.

Mercado earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines Manila. He also completed a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School and a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Castro said Marcos expects Mercado to prioritize the health and well-being of Filipinos as he takes the helm of the DOH.

“Hindi naman din po bago si Dr. Mercado dahil siya rin po ang tumayo na president and CEO ng PhilHealth. So alam po ni Dr. Mercado ang gusto at nais ng Pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said when asked about the President’s initial marching orders for Mercado.

(Dr. Mercado is no stranger to the role, having served as president and CEO of PhilHealth. He therefore knows what the President wants for the Filipino people.) — MCG, GMA News