In less than a month, the Philippines has its third health secretary on Monday.

Edwin Mercado will assume the reins of the health department after acting secretary Jose Pujalte who resigned due to health reasons, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Monday afternoon.

Mercado, who headed Philhealth, will be replaced by Beverly Lorraine Ho, who presently heads Ayala Healthcare Holdings. Before that, Ho was with the health department,

Pujalte, who took over from Teodoro Herbosa after he resigned following surgery on both knees on July 14, had been a complaint before the Ombudsman for alleged delay in buying anti-tuberculosis medicine.

Last Thursday, Castro said it is up to the Office of the Ombudsman whether to impose a preventive suspension on Pujalte. PHS