Francisco Duque III was born in Dagupan City to former Pangasinan Governor Francisco Duque Jr. and Florencia Tiongson. He completed his medical education at the University of Santo Tomas in 1982. In 1987, he earned a Master of Science degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He subsequently excelled in the Executive Education on Health Program Management of the distinguished Harvard University School of Public Health in 1992. Duque was PhilHealth President and CEO from 2001–2005, and later became the Health Secretary from 2005–2010. Appointed in 2010 as Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, he was instrumental in developing the Commission’s Roadmap for Development and Reforms for 2010–2015. Prior to being appointed anew as Health Secretary in October 2017, he served as the Chairman of the Board of the Government Service Insurance System. For his tireless efforts in implementing good governance programs and unwavering commitment to reforms, Duque was inducted to the roster of Institute for Solidarity in Asia–Governance Reform Fellow in April 2013.