Edwin Mercado

Edwin M. Mercado, is a Filipino physician who has served as secretary of health of the Philippines since 2026.

He previously served as President & CEO of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation from February 2025 until his appointment by President Bongbong Marcos as secretary of the Department of Health in August 2026.

Education Mercado earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1983 and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1987, both from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He had his orthopedic training at Philippine General Hospital. He received an executive master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020 and completed his Master of Medical Science degree from Harvard Medical School in 2023.

Career Mercado has collaborated with the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Department of Health’s Centers for Health Development, providing technical assistance to Provincial Health Boards in implementing Healthcare Provider Networks (HCPN).

From August 2022 to June 2023, Mercado served as a consultant for the Department of Health, providing guidance on the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC).

Health secretary On August 10, 2026, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Mercado as secretary of the Department of Health following the resignation of Jose Pujalte Jr.. His predecessor resigned for health reasons and was face allegations of graft for delaying the procurement of tuberculosis medicine for a favored supplier.