DA’s Tiu Laurel to take two-week medical leave

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is set to fly overseas to take a two-week medical leave starting Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to undergo a procedure he has deferred for nearly two years.

In an advisory released Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Undersecretary Roger Navarro will be the officer-in-charge for the two weeks.

The DA did not elaborate on Tiu Laurel’s scheduled medical procedure, but said it was deferred since he stepped into public service in November 2023.

He is expected to resume his duties by July 24, ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 28.

“Even while I’m abroad for my medical leave, I will continue to monitor developments on the ground. Tuloy tuloy lang ang trabaho (Work continues),” Tiu Laurel said in the advisory.

According to the DA, the announcement was made to “prevent any speculation” about Tiu Laurel’s impending prolonged absence. — BAP, GMA Integrated News