DOH chief on sick leave; on way out?

MANILA, Philippines — The secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) is sick and confined in a private hospital.

A document obtained by The STAR showed that Health Secretary Ted Herbosa is on sick leave and has assigned Undersecretary Albert Domingo as DOH officer-in-charge.

Herbosa reportedly underwent knee replacement operation on both left and right knees on Tuesday in a private hospital in Metro Manila.

“In view of the sick leave of the undersigned from July 6 to 17, 2026, to be spent within the country, Undersecretary Albert Domingo is hereby designated as officer-in-charge of the Department of Health as embodied in the letter from the Office of the President,” read Department Personnel Order No. 2026-4549.

Under the order, Domingo was tasked to act on matters related to the operations of the department, except for sensitive and policy-determining matters which shall be referred to the undersigned for appropriate action.

Herbosa’s confinement in a private hospital came amid a June 15 report from Bilyonaryo News Channel saying that three sources revealed the DOH secretary may soon be leaving the agency, with former undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire being considered as a possible replacement.

Health was among the reasons cited by former Cabinet secretaries of the Marcos administration when they left their respective posts.

On May 25, former labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma officially resigned from his post due to pressing “health considerations.”

On April 15, national security adviser Eduardo Año resigned due to “health reasons.” Año said that his health condition, which he did not identify, requires “full attention and care.”

In February last year, transportation secretary Jaime Bautista also stepped down “to give attention to his health.”

Abalos to represent Marcos in events

Former interior secretary Benhur Abalos has returned to the Marcos administration with his appointment as “Cabinet Secretary,” but his role will not be quite the same as those who held the post with the same name under previous presidents.

Instead of managing the President’s Cabinet meetings, Abalos was tasked to “ensure that every Filipino would feel the services of the government,” according to Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.–  Alexis Romero