CA confirms Laguesma as Labor secretary

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Atty. Bienvenido Laguesma as the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This came shortly after the CA committee on labor, employment, social welfare, and migrant workers endorsed his appointment to the plenary.

Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya, chairman of the CA panel, sponsored the committee's recommendation to approve Laguesma's appointment during the plenary session.

Gasataya vouched for Laguesma's public record, recalling the Labor secretary's stint as contractual mediator and arbiter under the administration of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and his experience as chief of the Labor Department during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.

The lawmaker acknowledged Laguesma's involvement in various socio-economic activities which showed his value for service, integrity, and peace.

Through his experience in the labor sector and legal practice, Gasataya said Laguesma can also provide opportunities to Filipinos here and abroad.

"I firmly believe that Atty. Laguesma, beyond his merit and fitness, has the heart and character to promote and protect labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized...full employment opportunity for all," he said.

"Recognizing the issues in the labor sector through first hand experience, he dedicated his entire life to the service of our country. Today, we call Atty. Laguesma back to public service with trust and confidence in him and his stellar public service record and proven integrity," he added.

Laguesma's appointment was co-sponsored by Senators JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Francis Tolentino, and Representatives Johnny Pimentel, Ramon Guico Jr., Ferjenel Biron, and Manuel Sagarbarria.

Before approving the appointment of Laguesma, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, chairperson of the CA, manifested that the Labor secretary is "very qualified" for the post.

"In my opinion, I believe, we are very lucky  to have him come out of retirement to serve once again the Filipino people in his capacity, being the secretary of DOLE," Zubiri said.

"In this time, in the post-pandemic era, he is the same person that we need who can help heal the labor sector as well as be the shot in the arm that our country needs for the labor and employment to be infused back into our economy, into our country," he added.—AOL, GMA News