“Ousting Herbosa now would disrupt fragile gains in universal healthcare and delay critical reforms”
MR. PRESIDENT, in a nation where one in three families skips medical care because they can’t afford it, firing your most credentialed health chief isn’t a reset—it’s a surrender.
As you weigh the fate of Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, the Secretary of Health who tendered his resignation amid your Cabinet shake-up, consider this: Replacing a globally respected physician with a political placeholder risks not just lives but your legacy.
Why discard a proven leader when the Philippines needs him most?
Herbosa’s credentials are not just impressive—they’re unmatched.
A former undersecretary of health (2010–2015), he navigated the chaos of Typhoon Haiyan and advised on the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.
His election as president of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva this May isn’t a mere title; it’s a testament to global trust in his vision.
At home, he’s pushed to digitalize healthcare, streamline services, and expand universal health coverage—reforms that, while incomplete, are the scaffolding for a healthier nation.
Senators once hailed him as “tried and tested.” What changed? A midterm election slump shouldn’t erase a résumé built on decades of service.
The stakes of removing Herbosa are stark.
The Philippines is still clawing its way out of the pandemic’s shadow, with hospitals overstretched and trust in public health fragile.
Tuberculosis festers as Asia’s worst epidemic, with 650,000 cases annually, and HIV rates are climbing.
These are not Herbosa’s inventions; they’re systemic failures predating his tenure.
Ousting him now would disrupt fragile gains in universal healthcare and delay critical reforms.
A new secretary would need months to find their footing—time the sick cannot afford. And globally? Sacking the World Health Assembly president signals chaos to partners like the WHO, imperiling doubts about Manila’s reliability.
Is that the message you want to send?
Critics point to stagnant TB and HIV metrics, and whispers of corruption swirl. Fair enough—let’s confront those head-on.
Tuberculosis and HIV are decades-old scourges, rooted in poverty and underfunded systems.
Herbosa inherited a broken machine; he didn’t build it.
Expecting him to eradicate these in two years is like blaming a surgeon for a patient’s chronic disease.
As for corruption, no hard evidence ties him to malfeasance.
His push for transparent public-private partnerships suggests a man trying to fix, not fleece, the system.
Replacing him risks installing someone less committed to openness, not more.
Politically, Mr. President, keeping Herbosa is a masterstroke. Your critics call this reshuffle performative, a distraction from electoral losses.
Prove them wrong by rewarding competence over optics.
Retaining Herbosa signals that you value results over headlines, silencing those who claim your administration prioritizes loyalty over merit.
Filipinos, battered by rising costs and health crises, crave stability.
A Pulse Asia survey last year showed 68 percent of Filipinos prioritize healthcare access above all else.
Herbosa’s reforms—digital records, expanded PhilHealth coverage—align with that demand.
Letting him finish the job could turn public frustration into trust, bolstering your administration’s standing before 2028.
To strengthen Dr. Herbosa’s impact, consider retaining him while ensuring robust accountability.
Request quarterly public reports on TB and HIV progress, detailing clear metrics such as cases identified, patients treated, and funds allocated.
Support his leadership with an independent corruption-monitoring task force to enhance transparency and build public trust.
Additionally, capitalize on his influential role in the World Health Organization to attract global health investments—such as vaccine hubs and research grants—that could position the Philippines as a regional health leader.
These measures are not only practical but also pave the way for a transformative legacy.
Mr. President, you’ve spoken of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” a new Philippines built on hope and competence.
Herbosa embodies that vision—a doctor who’s faced crises, earned global respect, and dared to reform a sclerotic system.
Dismissing him now isn’t just a loss for health policy; it’s a betrayal of the Filipinos who need him most.
Keep the doctor who heals the nation. Your people—and history—will thank you.
