PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) and Teodoro Herbosa as head of the Department of Health (DoH), Malacañang said Monday.

This will be Teodoro’s second tour of duty as Defense chief, the first during the Arroyo administration, where he also concurrently served as head of the Office of Civil Defense.

Herbosa, meanwhile, brings with him a “wealth of experience and expertise” in health care systems, public health, hospital administration, emergency and disaster medicine.

He served as DoH undersecretary from 2010 to 2015, contributing to various initiatives such as the Hospital Accreditation Commission, Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedics Center, and

promoting Public-Private Partnerships in Health.

Their appointments were confirmed following the President’s meetings with Teodoro and DND Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, and with Herbosa and Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire in the Palace earlier Monday.

The DoH welcomed Herbosa and vowed to provide him all support, especially during the transition period.

Vergeire said the new Health chief can expect the department’s whole-hearted support. OCTA also welcomed Herbosa’s appointment. “We believe Dr. Ted Herbosa is an excellent choice. We look forward to supporting the DoH, Dr. Herbosa and President Marcos in their quest to realize universal health for all Filipinos,” OCTA said in a statement.