Former senator and local government official Francis Tolentino has been named acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines, bringing extensive experience from both legislative and executive branches.
The Philippine government has appointed former senator Francis Tolentino as the acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Tolentino served in the Senate from 2019 to 2025, including a tenure as Senate Majority Leader from 2024 to 2025. During his time in the Senate, he chaired multiple key committees such as the Blue Ribbon Committee, justice and human rights, local government, as well as urban planning, housing, and resettlement committees.
Before his Senate career, Tolentino was the presidential adviser on political affairs under former President Rodrigo Duterte between 2017 and 2018. He also led the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from 2010 to 2015, and served as mayor of Tagaytay City for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004.
Tolentino holds a law degree from Ateneo de Manila University and passed the 1984 Bar examinations. He subsequently earned Master of Laws degrees from the University of London and Columbia Law School.
His appointment as acting DOLE secretary positions him at the forefront of labor and employment policy administration amidst ongoing socio-economic challenges in the Philippines. Tolentino ran unsuccessfully for another Senate term in the 2025 midterm elections before accepting his current post.
This development is relevant to overseas Filipino workers given the department’s pivotal role in protecting their labor rights and welfare. Official announcements come from the Philippine government and Senate records.
Sources include GMA Network News and official Philippine Senate documentation.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/988876/who-is-francis-tolentino/story/