Camille Naredo

Former Sen. Francis Tolentino takes his oath as the new Labor Secretary. Handout/PCO

Former Sen. Francis Tolentino takes his oath as the new Labor Secretary.

Article (news)

DOLE

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 960px; display: block;" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779698232585viber_image_2026-05-25_16-33-42-503.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former Sen. Francis Tolentino takes his oath as the new Labor Secretary. Handout/PCO" width="960"><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align: left;">Former Sen. Francis Tolentino takes his oath as the new Labor Secretary. <em>Handout/PCO</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA &mdash; Former senator Francis Tolentino is the new Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Acting Secretary, Malaca&ntilde;ang confirmed Monday.</p><p>The former senator replaces Bienvenido Laguesma, who has been the labor chief since June 2022.</p><p>&ldquo;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&mdash; lokal o nasyonal,&rdquo; Communications Undersecretary Claire Castrol said in a press briefing in Malaca&ntilde;ang.</p><p>&ldquo;Nakatakdang manumpa bilang bagong kalihim ng DOLE si incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. mamayang hapon dito sa Malaca&ntilde;ang,&rdquo; she said.</p><p>Tolentino&#39;s new designation came after the one-year appointment ban on losing 2025 elections candidates lapsed earlier this month.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/13/halalan-2025-losers-can-now-be-appointed-as-1-year-ban-ends-comelec-1443">Halalan 2025 losers can now be appointed as 1-year ban ends&mdash;Comelec</a></div><p>Tolentino ran for senator in the 2025 midterm elections but failed to secure a seat.</p><p>Marcos appointed Tolentino to the helm of the DOLE as Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma needs to tend to his health, the Palace said.</p><p>Laguesma &mdash; Marcos&rsquo; Labor chief since ascending to Malaca&ntilde;ang in 2022 &mdash; confirmed the statement, saying he was stepping down due to &quot;health considerations&quot; that would require his &quot;full attention.&quot;</p><p>&quot;For almost three (3) decades serving in various capacities, public service has not only been my profession--it has been my life&#39;s calling,&rdquo; he said in a statement.</p><p>&ldquo;Every decision I have made, every challenge I have faced, and every success we have achieved has been anchored in my deep love for our country and my unwavering belief in the Filipino people,&quot; he said.</p><p>Laguesma thanked his colleagues at the department and the Cabinet &quot;whose dedication has been my constant source of inspiration.&quot;</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; he said.</p><div><br></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:&nbsp;</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CBPzUMOTMeI?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br></div>

<p>Former senator Francis Tolentino is the new Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Acting Secretary, Malacañang confirmed Monday.</p>

Former senator Francis Tolentino is the new Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Acting Secretary, Malacañang confirmed Monday.

Ex-Sen. Francis Tolentino is new DOLE chief

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Ex-Sen. Francis Tolentino is new DOLE chief

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News,

Published May 25, 2026 01:16 PM PHT

|

Updated May 25, 2026 04:39 PM PHT

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DOLE

labor

Francis Tolentino

Department of Labor and Employment

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