MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former senator Francis Tolentino as Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), replacing Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.
This was announced by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a Palace press briefing on Monday.
“Tiwala si Pangulong Marcos Jr. na mapamumunuan ni incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino ang DOLE dahil sa kanyang kakayahan at malawak na karanasan sa paghawak ng mahahalagang tungkulin sa pamahalaan, lokal o nasyonal (President Marcos Jr. is confident that incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino will lead the DOLE because of his ability and extensive experience in handling important government functions, local or national),” Castro said.
Castro said Tolentino is scheduled to take his oath of office before President Marcos on Monday afternoon at Malacañan Palace.
The Palace official explained that the appointment of an acting labor secretary was prompted by Laguesma’s health condition.
“Dahil po sa kanyang health condition, kaya kailangan magkaroon at magtalaga ng acting labor secretary (Due to his health condition, it is necessary to have and appoint an acting labor secretary),” she said.
Asked whether Laguesma would be appointed to a different post, Castro said she could not preempt the President’s decision, adding that it would also depend on Laguesma’s health condition.
In a statement Monday, Laguesma said health reasons prompted him to step down.
“I am stepping down from my position as Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment due to health considerations necessitating my full attention at this time,” he said.
He thanked Marcos for the opportunity to serve the public.
“If there is any legacy I hope to leave behind, it is that we served with integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. I extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the trust and confidence he has placed in me,” Laguesma added.
Labor groups react
Labor group SENTRO welcomed the appointment of a new DOLE head, hoping that the transition signals a genuine change in direction for labor governance.
“We hope that Secretary Tolentino will choose a different path — one grounded in genuine engagement with workers, respect for trade union rights, and decisive action to realize the country’s commitments under the ILO roadmap. The labor movement stands ready to work constructively with the new leadership of DOLE in advancing decent work, democracy, and social justice for all Filipino workers,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines lauded Tolentino’s appointment, saying they look forward to a “new era of genuine, candid, and action-oriented dialogue”.
“Filipino workers and their families welcome Secretary Tolentino’s appointment with cautious optimism. We hope this signals a breath of fresh air marked by concrete commitments toward higher incomes, regular jobs, and genuine respect for workers’ rights and dignity,” it said. (with report from Bong Patinio/PND)
