Jose Pujalte Jr.
Jose Pujalte Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 32nd Secretary of Health | |
| In office July 13, 2026 – August 10, 2026 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Ted Herbosa |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Mercado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Brittanio S. Pujalte Jr. |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Manila Ateneo de Manila University |
| Occupation | Orthopedic surgeon |
Jose Brittanio "Brix" S. Pujalte Jr.[1] is a Filipino orthopedic surgeon, hospital administrator, and educator who served as the secretary of the Department of Health of the Philippines on July 13, 2026 until his resignation on August 10, 2026 in the administration of President Bongbong Marcos.
Education
Jose Pujalte attended both the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman College of Arts and Letters and the UP Manila College of Medicine, graduating from the latter institution in 1990.[2][3][4] He is also a master's degree holder in hospital administration (MHA), a credential he obtained from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.[3]
He finished his orthopedic residency at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City in 1994 He was recognized as Career Executive Service Eligible in 2008.[3]
Pujalte also trained under doctor Katsuya Nobuhara of Japan. In 1996, he specialized in total joint reconstruction under Ramon Gustilo at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. In 1998, he also specialized in spine and joint replacement at Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in the United Kingdom.[5]
He is also a fellow of the Philippine Orthopedic Association, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.[6]
Career
Jose Pujalte Jr. joined the Department of Health in 1991 and worked as an orthopedic surgeon in public hospitals.[7]
In 2014, Pujalte became Medical Center Chief II of the Philippine Orthopedic Center where he previously served as Chief of Clinics.[4] He has also been president of the Philippine Orthopaedic Association (2009) and the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association (2010).[4][7] He has founded the Philippine Shoulder Society and was a founding member of the Philippine Spine Society.[8]
Pujalte also worked as a faculty member at the University of the Philippines Manila, Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, and San Beda College of Medicine[3]
Health secretary
On July 13, 2026, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Pujalte as secretary of the Department of Health. Pujalte succeeded Ted Herbosa who resigned from his position.[9] He took oath before Marcos on July 14.
His brief stint as health secretary was marred with purported controversies. On July 31, 2026, an anonymous complaint was reportedly filed with the Presidential Complaint Center at Malacañang against him for allegedly gambling at the Okada Manila and Solaire Resort under the aliases "Louis Santos" and "Louiss Santos."[10] He denied the allegations, claiming that he was visiting a hotel in his official capacity as health scretary with Masbate and Sorsogon officials.[11]and that said meeting only revolved around discussing providing help to public hospitals in the region.[12]
Additionally, on August 6, 2026, anonymous health advocates filed a graft complaint with the Ombudsman against him for delaying the procurement of tuberculosis medicines to allegedly to allow time for a favored supplier. Pujalte denied the claims, describing the complaint as a "demolition job[13]" and stating that due diligence and a necessary review is needed since he had just assumed the position.[14][15]
On August 10, 2026, the Marcos administration announced the appointment of PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado as new health secretary. It also conveyed that Pujalte has resigned from the position citing health reasons.[16]
Personal life
Pujalte has three daughters. His father was Jose Magallanes Pujalte, who was also a medical doctor and chief of the Philippine Orthopedic Center during the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.[7]
References
- ↑ Manatlao, Eirene (July 13, 2026). "Herbosa resigns as health secretary, veteran orthopedic surgeon takes over". Rappler. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Concordia, Clariza (July 16, 2026). "UP alumnus is new DOH Secretary - University of the Philippines". University of the Philippines. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
An alumnus of the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters and the UP Manila College of Medicine
- 1 2 3 4 Cabato, Luisa (July 13, 2026). "Jose Pujalte is Marcos' new DOH secretary". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Tribune, Daily (July 13, 2026). "Who is Dr. Jose 'Brix' Pujalte Jr., Marcos' new health chief?". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Philippine Shoulder Society| History (2009)". Philippine Orthopaedic Association. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
- ↑ Cabato, Luisa. "Meet the new DOH Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr". Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Cruz, Jose Paolo Dela (July 10, 2023). "Dr. Jose "Brix" Pujalte Jr.: Bone-afide public servant". PeopleAsia. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Cabato, Luisa (July 13, 2026). "Meet the new DOH Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Serquiña, Mariel Celine (July 13, 2026). "Who is Jose Pujalte Jr, the new DOH secretary". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Limos, Aleen (July 31, 2026). "Complaint filed vs Health secretary for gambling". The Manila Times. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
- ↑ Sampang, Dianne (July 31, 2026). "Health chief denies gambling claims, says hotel visit was official". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
- ↑ Sampang, Dianne. "Health chief denies gambling claims, says hotel visit was official". Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Health chief resigns after less than a month in office". The Manila Times. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Villanueva, Gillian (August 6, 2026). "Pujalte: TB drug procurement review protects patients, public funds". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
- ↑ Esguerra, Darryl John (August 6, 2026). "Palace: Ombudsman has jurisdiction over Pujalte suspension issue". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
- ↑ Chi, Cristina (August 10, 2026). "Marcos names PhilHealth chief Mercado as new DOH secretary". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 10, 2026.