President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially appointed former Senator Francis Tolentino as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), effective immediately. Tolentino succeeds Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

The appointment was announced by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a press briefing on Monday morning. According to Castro, Tolentino is scheduled to take his oath of office before the President this afternoon at Malacañan Palace.

President Marcos Jr. expressed full confidence in Tolentino’s capability to lead the labor department, citing his extensive background in public service.

“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,” Castro said during the briefing.(“President Marcos Jr. is confident that incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino will be able to lead DOLE due to his capability and vast experience in handling important roles in government, both local and national.”)

The transition in leadership comes as Secretary Laguesma steps down to focus on his medical recovery. Palace officials confirmed that the designation of an acting secretary was necessitated by Laguesma’s current health condition.

When asked about the possibility of Laguesma being appointed to a different government post in the future, Undersecretary Castro declined to preempt the Chief Executive’s decision, noting that any future assignments would ultimately depend on Laguesma’s health and recovery timeline.

Tolentino steps into the role with decades of administrative and legislative experience, having previously served as a Philippine Senator, the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and a long-time local chief executive.