(UPDATE) Aquino names Garin as new health chief

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III today named acting Health Secretary Janette Garin as new health secretary.

Aquino told reporters that he was satisfied with Garin's performance.

"We will be putting in another undersecretary to help her," he said.

Then Health Undersecretary Garin temporarily replaced Health Secretary Enrique Ona, who was ordered in November to go on leave until he was pressured to resign after Aquino asked him to prepare an explanation on the controversial purchase of vaccines for children.

Garin's appointment as the new health chief is subject to the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, the president said.