Francis Tolentino named as new acting DOLE secretary

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former senator Francis Tolentino as acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Malacañang announced Monday.

“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, local o national,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing.

(President Marcos Jr. is confident that incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino will lead the DOLE because of his ability and extensive experience in holding important government positions, local or national.)

She added that DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma's health condition prompted the appointment of a new labor secretary.

“Dahil po sa kanyang (Laguesma) health condition kaya po kailangan po na magkaroon at magtalaga ng acting secretary labor secretary,” Castro said.

(Because of Laguesma's health condition, there is a need to appoint an acting labor secretary.)

Tolentino will take his oath before the President on Monday afternoon in Malacañang.

In a statement, Laguesma confirmed that he is stepping down as DOLE secretary due to his health.

𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐞𝐜 𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐦𝐚, 𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐰 𝐧𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨

'I am stepping down from my position as Secretary of Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) due to health considerations necessitating my full attention at this time' pic.twitter.com/pCIj0eL19n

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 25, 2026

“I am stepping down from my position as Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment due to health considerations necessitating my full attention at this time,” Laguesma said.

“To ensure the Department’s continuous focus on the promotion of gainful employment opportunities and human resources development, protection and promotion of workers' rights and welfare, and the promotion and maintenance of industrial peace while I need to prioritize my health for now, I have thus made this necessary call with a systematic transition in process,” he added.

Tolentino ran for reelection in the 2025 senatorial elections but lost.

When he won as senator in the 2019 elections, Tolentino served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement.

He was appointed as the presidential adviser on political affairs under the Duterte administration from 2017 to 2018.

Tolentino also served as Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman from 2010 to 2015 during the Aquino administration.

He was Tagaytay City mayor for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004.

Castro also said Malacañang has yet to receive confirmation if former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos will return to his post and replace the current secretary, Jonvic Remulla.

“Wala pong nakakarating sa atin na ganyang balita (we have yet to receive such news),” Castro said. —RSJ/NB, GMA News