Senators on Tuesday, June 6 welcomed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s appointments of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro as Department of National Defense (DND) and Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa as Department of Health (DOH) Secretary. “I welcome and fully support the President’s appointments of Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa,” Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said in a statement. “Secretary Teodoro is a tried and tested public servant, and we trust that he will head the Department of Defense most capably, particularly amidst this atmosphere of brewing tensions in our waters,” Zubiri said. “And we are happy to see the DOH helmed by an experienced public health expert. Sec. Herbosa’s appointment comes at an opportune time, with our Regional Specialty Centers Act having just gotten bicameral approval, and we are hopeful that he will spearhead a truly whole-of-nation approach in the improvement of our public health services,” he said. With the two secretaries assuming their respective post, Zubiri said the President has just addressed “the two most pressing challenges of our time - territorial integrity - and our full recovery from the pandemic.” “Their appointments should give a big boost to our fight to have a secure and a stronger nation supported by a healthy population,” the Senate leader stressed.

Prioritize AFP modernization, full implementation of the UHC Law

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, meanwhile, urged Herbosa to hit the ground running by prioritizing the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. “I hope that Secretary Herbosa will prioritize the full implementation of the UHC Law. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of our public health system. The urgency of the situation finds its best expression in the fact that the President…has included a number of health-related bills among his administration’s legislative priorities,” Ejercito said. “These include the establishment of regional specialty centers in DOH-supervised hospitals across the country and adjustments to the PhilHealth contribution rates under the UHC Law. We will be needing the support of the DOH in pushing these legislative measures forward and implementing them in the near future,” he added. “Without a doubt, these are tall orders for our upcoming Health Secretary. But we still have a lot of work to do in our efforts to achieve zero balance billing for all Filipinos availing of our medical services and facilities,” the lawmaker also said. On the other hand, Ejercito appealed to Teodoro to ensure the successful modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), “a program that I have always supported.” “We need to expedite these efforts to put up a robust defense posture and reinforce our coastal defenses amidst growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea,” he said. “For us to stand up to China’s bullying and protect our territorial integrity, we need a respectable armed forces that is well-equipped and adequately funded,” he further stressed. Sen. Grace Poe said she trusts that their expertise and experience in their respective fields will help them carry on the gargantuan tasks that lie ahead. “The new secretaries are crucial in deciding and implementing strategies in addressing the various health issues we are facing and in upholding the country's territorial integrity against various threats,” Poe said. “Focus and commitment on the job coupled with straight and true service will fortify our health and defense sectors and deliver the services our people deserve,” added the lawmaker. Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said he looks forward to working with Herbosa in trying to improve the country’s healthcare system and bringing medical services closer to the people, particularly the poor. And as vice chairman of the Senate defense panel, Go reaffirmed his support to the “men and women sworn to sacred oath of ensuring the safety and security of our people.” For his part, Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III noted that the challenge for the new DND chief is the growing geopolitical tensions especially with China, United States and Taiwan. "DOH also has a full plate given the many health problems that Filipinos face. DOH's new approach should be value for money and 'put value in all our resources. Hence, DOH should not be wasteful and value even those items donated to us," Pimentel said.