DOH SECRETARY TED HERBOSA (MB FILE PHOTO)
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa bellied rumors that he is being replaced amid various issues surrounding the department.
"There is no truth to that. I think Usec. Claire (Castro) already said yesterday that there is no revamp of the Cabinet," Herbosa said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Herbosa, however, said he will accept the decision of the President if he will opt to replace him, stressing that it is the prerogative of the Chief Executive to do so.
"But we in the Cabinet all serve at the pleasure of the President. So, if ever the President wants to replace me, that is the prerogative of our President," Herbosa said.
Despite the rumors and issues concerning the DOH, the Health chief said they continue to fulfill the directives of the President such as the implementation of the zero-balance billing in DOH-accredited hospitals.
"We continue to fulfill all his mandates—zero balance billing, Bukas Centers, and all these focus on... The higher budget has emphasis on health. So, I think we will continue to pursue the mandates of the President with emphasis on better health care for all Filipinos," Herbosa said.
This was not the first time Herbosa faced rumors of him being replaced as the DOH chief. In early December last year, Malacañang conveyed that Herbosa still enjoys the trust of President Marcos despite facing administrative and criminal charges before the Ombudsman.
The Palace then said they leave it to the Ombudsman to look into the cases filed against Herbosa.
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said there is no information so far on a rumored Cabinet revamp.
Castro said they have yet to receive any information on a possible Cabinet revamp, saying there may be people spreading rumors.