Gibo Teodoro, Ted Herbosa named secretaries of defense, health

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday appointed Gilbert Teodoro Jr. as secretary of national defense and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as secretary of health.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the appointments were announced after Marcos in separate meetings met with Teodoro and Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, and Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire on Monday afternoon.

The appointments came after Marcos said in early May that a reorganization could happen in his Cabinet as the appointment ban on losing candidates who ran in last year's elections ended on May 9, 2023.

He said he was  keen on appointing to certain positions some individuals who are now no longer covered by the prohibition.

Teodoro was first appointed defense secretary under the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was the youngest to hold the position at 43.

He also assumed the role of Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) during his tenure as Secretary of Defense.

Teodoro ran for senator in Eleksyon 2022 after several years of taking a break from the public eye.

He was also a three-term member of the House of Representatives when he represented the first district of Tarlac.

Teodoro topped the bar in 1989 after graduating at the top his class at the University of the Philippines College of Law. He has a bachelor's degree in Commerce, Major in Financial Institutions from De La Salle University.

He furthered his legal education by obtaining a Master's degree in Law from Harvard University. 

Herbosa served as health undersecretary from 2010 to 2015 under the administration of then President Benigno Aquino III.

He contributed to various initiatives such as the Hospital Accreditation Commission, Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedics Center, and promoting Public-Private Partnerships in Health.

Herbosa was also the  Regional Director at the DOH-National Capital Regional Office.

From October 2017 to April 2021, Herbosa served as the Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines System.

He has held various key positions, including Chief Division of Trauma at the Department of Surgery, Philippine General Hospital, Chairman of the Board for Physicians for Peace Philippines, and 3rd Vice President of the UP Alumni Association.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Herbosa served as a special adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, offering expert guidance and contributing to the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of the virus.

DOH, Vergeire backs Herbosa

In a statement, the Department of Health welcomed back Herbosa as the new health chief.

The DOH committed to provide all-out support during this transition. “Maasahan po ng ating bagong kalihim, Secretary Ted, ang taos pusong suporta ng buong DOH family,” Vergeire said. 

OCTA Research also welcomed Herbosa's appointment, according to its fellow Dr. Ranjit Rye.

"OCTA is elated that an   appointment for SOH has been made. We believe Dr. Ted Herbosa is an excellent choice," Rye said.

"We look forward to supporting the DOH, Dr. Herbosa and President Marcos in their quest to realize universal health for all Filipinos," he added.

OCTA during the COVID-19 pandemic analyzed DOH data and provided insights on such indicators as positivity rate, and hospital occupancy. It continues to do so following the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. —NB, GMA Integrated News