Beverly Ho Named Acting PhilHealth Chief as Mercado Takes Over DOH

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, the nation learned of a significant leadership shuffle at the helm of its health agencies, a move that promises to reshape how millions of Filipinos access medical care. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho as acting president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), succeeding Edwin Mercado, who was simultaneously named the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). This double appointment, announced by Malacañang on Monday, comes at a critical time when the country is grappling with the aftermath of recent storms and the ongoing push for Universal Health Care.

The leadership change is more than a bureaucratic reshuffling; it is a signal of the administration's priorities for the health sector. For ordinary Filipinos, this means a renewed focus on the state insurer's financial stability, the expansion of benefits, and the urgent need to lower out-of-pocket expenses that have long burdened families. The new team inherits a system under pressure, tasked with delivering on the promise of the Universal Health Care Act while navigating the complexities of public health emergencies and political scrutiny.

Beverly Ho Named Acting PhilHealth Chief as Mercado Takes Over DOH

Manila, Philippines – August 11, 2026 — In a move that pairs a seasoned public health advocate with a hospital network executive, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially designated Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho to lead PhilHealth and Edwin Mercado to head the Department of Health. The appointments were confirmed by Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro during a briefing on Monday, August 10, 2026. The announcement follows the abrupt resignation of DOH Secretary Jose "Brix" Pujalte Jr., whose brief tenure was marred by controversy.

A 28-Day Tenure: The Pujalte Resignation

The path to this leadership change was paved by the sudden exit of Dr. Jose "Brix" Pujalte Jr., a veteran orthopedic surgeon who was appointed DOH secretary on July 13, 2026. His resignation after just 28 days marks one of the shortest tenures in the agency's history. Undersecretary Castro stated that Pujalte voluntarily resigned for health reasons, a decision that the President accepted. This follows the resignation of his predecessor, Teodoro Herbosa, who also stepped down in July citing health concerns, creating a rapid turnover at the top of the country's primary health agency.

Pujalte's brief stint was not without its share of allegations. On July 31, 2026, a complaint letter addressed to the Palace from "concerned citizens" accused him of gambling at hotel casinos and using aliases, which allegedly violated Presidential Decree 1869, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Anti-Alias Law. Pujalte denied these accusations, explaining that he was merely invited by an official to a hotel on July 20 to discuss assistance delivery to public hospitals in Bicol. The controversies did not end there; on August 5, 2026, a separate complaint was filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing him of delaying the bidding for anti-tuberculosis medicines to allegedly favor a certain supplier. Pujalte also denied this, asserting that due diligence should not be misrepresented as halting the TB program.

When asked directly whether these controversies were linked to his resignation, Castro offered a cautious response: "For now, I cannot answer. He voluntarily resigned and it was accepted by our President." She added that the Ombudsman complaints are now in the hands of the Ombudsman, leaving the investigation to proceed independently. The rapid succession of events has left many in the health sector wondering about the stability of the DOH's leadership, but the Palace is moving forward with its new appointments.

Who is Beverly Ho? A Return to Public Service

Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho is not a stranger to the corridors of the DOH. Before her appointment as acting PhilHealth chief, she served as the chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health), a subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation. Her government service record is extensive, having served as deputy spokesperson for the DOH from March 2020 to December 2021, a period that coincided with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she was one of the department's key voices. She later became an undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Public Health Services Team in 2022, and then an assistant secretary from January 2023 to January 2024.

Her portfolio also includes directorial roles at the Health Promotion Bureau and the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, as well as serving as a special assistant to the Secretary of Health for Universal Health Coverage. In her capacity as an alternate representative to the PhilHealth Board, she also chaired its benefits committee. Her academic credentials are equally impressive, with a medical degree from the University of the Philippines and a master's in public health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Recognized for her contributions, she was among the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 2022 and the Ten Outstanding Young Women for Nation Service in the same year. Crucially, she was instrumental in the development of the Universal Health Care Law, making her a familiar and trusted figure in the push for health reforms.

Ho's Stance on PhilHealth Finances: A Defender of the State Insurer

Dr. Ho's appointment comes with a clear understanding of the financial challenges facing PhilHealth. In February 2025, she appeared as an amicus curiae, or friend of the Court, in Supreme Court oral arguments concerning the legality of transferring P89.9 billion of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. Her testimony then was a stark warning about the potential consequences of such a move. She told the justices that a "stable source of financing is critical in reducing uncertainty of expansion and timely payout to healthcare providers," arguing that the transfer would weaken the state insurer's financial stability.

Her concerns were grounded in the real-world impact on Filipino patients. She noted that on average, PhilHealth shoulders only about 40 percent of total hospital bills for covered inpatient diseases, leaving a significant gap that families must cover out of pocket. She argued that the fund transfer would lead to conservatism in the agency, resulting in more out-of-pocket health spending for Filipinos. In her view, PhilHealth should "maximize this cushion" to rapidly increase benefits, but she also cautioned that benefits expansion "cannot happen overnight without allocating resources and strengthening PhilHealth's ability to nurture technical experts." This perspective suggests that her leadership will prioritize financial prudence while aggressively seeking ways to expand coverage.

Edwin Mercado: From PhilHealth to the DOH

Edwin Mercado, the incoming DOH secretary, brings a wealth of experience from the private healthcare sector. He had served as PhilHealth president and CEO since February 2025, a role he assumed amid scrutiny and calls for the ouster of his predecessor, Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. His medical and administrative credentials are substantial: he earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of the Philippines in 1987, a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School in 2023, and an Executive Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina.

His career includes roles as medical director of Daniel Mercado Medical Center (1998-2000), president and CEO of various hospitals (2000-2016), and vice chairperson of Mercado General Hospital/Qualimed Health Network (2021-2025). Under his leadership, the Mercado network expanded into a formidable operation comprising four general hospitals, six multispecialty clinics, two surgery centers, 150 primary care corporate clinics, a college for paramedical professionals, and a physician practice group of 400 doctors. He is also a faculty lecturer at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health and a guest lecturer at the UP College of Public Health. Undersecretary Castro emphasized the President's intent, stating, "The President wants the health of our countrymen prioritized. Dr. Mercado is not new in the job because he served as CEO of PhilHealth and he knows what the President wants for our countrymen."

Reactions: A "UHC Friendly Team"

The appointments have drawn praise from key figures in the Senate, particularly from Sen. JV Ejercito, the principal author of the Universal Health Care Law. He lauded both appointments, calling them a "UHC friendly team!" In a statement, Ejercito expressed his support for Mercado, saying, "We support the appointment of Dr. Edwin Mercado as the new Secretary of Health. We are optimistic that he will bring his valuable expertise as a physician and healthcare executive to the DOH at a time when we need to push our health reforms even further." His endorsement of Ho was equally warm, recalling their past collaboration: "We are also glad to see Dr. Beverly Ho take the helm of PhilHealth as its new President and CEO. I had the chance to work closely with Dr. Ho during the crafting of the Universal Health Care Law, where I have seen her dedication to improving healthcare for our people."

However, Ejercito was quick to point out that the work is far from over. He noted that there is "still much work to be done," specifically mentioning the need to expand Zero Balance Billing, improve PhilHealth packages including the state insurer's participation in hospital bills, and lower out-of-pocket expenses. He also flagged a planned review of UHC implementation as the law approaches its 10th year, signaling that the new leadership will be under close scrutiny to deliver tangible results.

Impact on Ordinary Filipinos: The Fight Against Out-of-Pocket Costs

For the average Filipino, the significance of these appointments lies in the promise of more affordable healthcare. The Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223), signed in February 2019, positioned PhilHealth as the centerpiece national health insurance program. Yet, the reality for many is that a hospital stay still means digging deep into family savings. With PhilHealth covering only about 40 percent of hospital bills on average, the remaining 60 percent often forces families into debt or forces them to delay necessary medical treatment. The new leadership's focus on expanding benefits and strengthening the state insurer's financial base is a direct response to this persistent problem.

The timing of this leadership change is also critical. The country is currently dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storms Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat), which have left over a dozen dead on Luzon and displaced hundreds of thousands of families. This puts immense pressure on public health services, from evacuation centers to field hospitals, making the efficient and effective operation of both the DOH and PhilHealth more urgent than ever. The new team must hit the ground running to address both the immediate needs of storm victims and the long-term structural issues in the health system.

What to Watch For: Ombudsman Probe, UHC Review, and Benefit Expansion

As Dr. Ho and Secretary Mercado settle into their new roles, several key issues will define their tenure. First, the investigation into the complaints against former Secretary Pujalte will continue at the Office of the Ombudsman. While his resignation removes him from the executive branch, the outcome of the probe could have political implications and set a precedent for accountability. Second, the planned review of the UHC implementation, as flagged by Sen. Ejercito, will be a major legislative and executive exercise. This review will likely scrutinize the pace of benefit expansion and the efficiency of fund utilization, putting the new PhilHealth chief's financial acumen to the test.

Finally, the promise of benefit expansion will be the most visible measure of success for the new team. The challenge is to balance the need for rapid improvements in coverage with the imperative of maintaining the agency's financial solvency. Dr. Ho's previous warnings about the dangers of fund transfers suggest she will be a staunch defender of PhilHealth's resources, while Secretary Mercado's experience in building a large healthcare network could bring a private-sector efficiency to the DOH. The coming months will reveal whether this "UHC friendly team" can translate their expertise into tangible improvements for the health and well-being of every Filipino family, from the bustling streets of Manila to the remote barangays of Mindanao.

The leadership at the DOH and PhilHealth has changed hands, but the mission remains the same: to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the pursuit of quality and affordable healthcare. With a new team at the helm, the hope is that the goals of Universal Health Care will finally be within reach, easing the burden on families and building a healthier nation for generations to come.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.