HEALTH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday dismissed reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was mulling replacing him amid issues facing the Department of Health (DOH).
Malacañang also belied rumors on alleged Cabinet shakeup fanned by reports about the President eyeing a possible replacement of some members of his official family.
Herbosa was reacting to media reports quoting Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro as saying there was no planned reshuffle in the Cabinet.
“Ah, there’s no truth to that, I think Usec. Claire already said yesterday that there is no revamp of the Cabinet,” Herbosa said.
“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,” he added.
Herbosa said the DOH remained focused on carrying out the administration’s priorities, including zero-balance billing in public hospitals and the expansion of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service, or BUCAS centers.
“We continue to fulfill all his mandates; zero-balance billing, BUCAS centers, and all this focus on the higher budget is emphasis on health,” he said.
“So, I think we will continue to pursue the mandate of the President with emphasis on better care for all Filipinos,” Herbosa added.
In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, gave assurance there were no discussions of any changes in the Cabinet.
“It hasn’t really been mentioned to us yet; sometimes someone is appointed, but for now, there hasn’t been any Cabinet revamp discussed,” she said.
Castro confirmed however, that the President was constantly assessing and monitoring the members of his Cabinet.
“We have also said that even before, the President always looks at and monitors the actions of the Cabinet secretaries,” Castro said.
