President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Senator Francis Tolentino as the new Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Tolentino replaces Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, who resigned from his post due to health concerns after serving from 2022 to 2026.
Background of Francis Tolentino
Tolentino is a lawyer and former Senate Majority Leader who served in the Senate from 2019 to 2025. Prior to his legislative career, he was the chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), where he was known for his work in disaster preparedness and urban management. His appointment comes at a time when the labor sector faces several challenges, including high commodity prices, wage adjustments, worker protection, and labor migration.
Bienvenido Laguesma's Tenure
Laguesma is a veteran labor official who began his career at DOLE in the 1970s as a labor arbiter. He previously served as DOLE Secretary under former President Joseph Estrada from 1998 to 2001, and returned to the same position under the Marcos Jr. administration in 2022. He also served as commissioner of the Social Security System (SSS) from 2011 to 2016. His resignation due to health reasons marks the end of a long career in public service.
The appointment of Tolentino signals a new direction for the department as it addresses pressing labor issues in the country.
