Paulyn Ubial

Ubial was born in Iloilo City to Neon Rossell, a University of the Philippines Diliman professor, and Maria Buenaflor. She was raised in M'lang, Cotabato.[2]

Ubial started her public health career as a rural health worker in Kidapawan, North Cotabato in 1990.[1] She graduated from the UERMMMC College of Medicine in 1987.[3]

She was appointed as the department's regional director for Davao Region from 2006 to 2008.[1]

Ubial served as an Assistant Secretary for Health Regulations from 2008 until 2016 during the Arroyo and Aquino administrations.[4]

She is an anti-tobacco advocate.[1] She helped author Executive Order 26, which bans smoking in enclosed public places and transportation servicing the general population, except in designated smoking areas.[5]

The Commission on Appointments (CA) did not approve of Ubial's appointment as Health Secretary on October 10, 2017, ending her de facto tenure.[6] Kabayan Representative Harry Roque, lawyer Restituto Mendoza, and Potenciano Malvar, medical director of the General Miguel M. Malvar Medical Foundation officially filed opposition to her appointment. Her dealings with PhilHealth was contentious, which led 150 of the organization's employees to oppose her appointment, citing her decision to suspend the allowances and salary adjustments of Philhealth's employees which caused "extreme demoralization". Former CEO and President of PhilHealth Hildegardes Dineros disputed the nature of his departure from Philhealth. He claimed that he was forcibly removed from his post by Ubial and did not voluntary resign as she claimed.[7]