MALACANANG officially announced on Monday the appointment of former senator Francis Tolentino as Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The designation comes following the decision to place a new official at the helm of the agency, prompted by the health condition of outgoing Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.
Tolentino is set to formally assume his post after taking his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a ceremony scheduled later Monday afternoon at the Palace.
In making the announcement, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro expressed full confidence in Tolentino’s capability to lead the department. She emphasized that President Marcos chose the former senator due to his proven competence and long record of public service at both the local and national levels. “President Marcos Jr. trusts that incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino will be able to steer DOLE effectively, given his abilities and extensive experience in handling key government responsibilities,” Castro stated during the press briefing.
Castro clarified that the leadership change was necessitated purely by Laguesma’s medical situation. “It is because of his health condition that it became necessary to appoint an acting labor secretary,” she explained, assuring the public that the transition is meant to ensure continuous and efficient delivery of services to workers and employers alike. No further details regarding Laguesma’s health or the duration of Tolentino’s term in an acting capacity were provided during the briefing.
Tolentino brings to his new assignment decades of government experience, having served in various executive and legislative roles throughout his career. As he steps into his new role, he is expected to prioritize key labor agenda items, including employment generation, workers’ welfare protection, and the review of wage policies — issues that remain critical amid ongoing economic challenges. His appointment signals the administration’s commitment to maintaining stable leadership within the labor department despite the sudden change in leadership.
