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DOH Execom drops Vergeire, 2 other undersecretaries

Philippines | National

DOH Execom drops Vergeire, 2 other undersecretaries

By Jel Santos

DOH

Three top officials of the Department of Health (DOH), including the agency’s well-known Covid-19 pandemic spokesperson, are no longer part of its Executive Committee (Execom), based on updates made to the department’s official website.

Removed from the current Execom list are Undersecretaries Maria Rosario Vergeire, Achilles Gerard Bravo, and Kenneth Ronquillo.

Their names no longer appear alongside Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and other senior officials.

The Execom serves as the DOH’s top-level policymaking and coordination body, which includes the health secretary, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, and is responsible for major operational and strategic decisions.

Vergeire became a familiar face to the public during the Covid-19 pandemic, frequently appearing in briefings and media interviews as the agency’s chief spokesperson.

She also served as DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) before Herbosa was appointed by President Marcos.

In a brief statement, DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo did not provide further details, noting that the matter is personal.

“Decisions of Execom members leading to their separation from the service (e.g., retirement, resignation, etc.) are personal in nature and treated with the utmost respect as to privacy,” he said.

The Manila Bulletin tried to reach Vergeire for comment, but she has yet to respond as of press time.

Related Tags

DOH Department of Health DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa Covid19 Ma Rosario Vergeire

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