PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed his lead physician, Dr. Samuel Zacate, as the director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

Angeles said Zacate is a public health advocate rendering medical consultancy offices to various government agencies, including the Public Attorney’s Office and Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) Hospital.

Zacate also served as the country’s diplomat at the Society of Venereology and a fellow of the International College of Surgeons.

"He is qualified, plus he has several distinctions so we are not sure if his being a personal physician factored into this considering he ticks all the boxes, meaning lahat ng requirements bilang FDA [chief] he fulfilled," Angeles said.

Angeles also announced the appointment of the following officials:

* Retired Brigadier General Roman Felix - Secretary, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs;

* Retired Major General Ariel Caculitan - OPAMA Undersecretary for Military Affairs;

* Retired general General Isagani Nerez - Undersecretary for Police Affairs;

* Attorney Nesauro Firme - Judicial and Bar Council

(SunStar Philippines)