Incoming Labor Secretary Francis “Tol” Tolentino brings to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) a career spanning four decades of public service—from the mayoralty of Tagaytay City to the halls of the Philippine Senate.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Tolentino to the post, according to an announcement made by Malacañang on Monday, May 25. Tolentino will replace outgoing secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.
A lawyer by training, Tolentino passed both the Philippine Bar in 1984 and the New York State Bar, and holds three Master of Laws degrees from the University of Michigan, the University of London, and Columbia Law School.
Before his election to the Senate in 2019, Tolentino served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from 2010 to 2015, where he developed Metro Manila’s earthquake contingency plan known as Oplan Metro Yakal, and as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs under then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
As a senator, he chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee, spearheading inquiries into alleged anomalous government contracts that led to the filing of charges against erring public officials.
He also championed electoral reforms, successfully pushing for internet voting for overseas Filipino workers in the 2025 midterm elections.
A brigadier general in the military reserve force, Tolentino authored legislation mandating the restoration of ROTC at the tertiary level.
He founded the Philippine Legal Justice Center, a free legal aid clinic serving marginalized communities, OFWs, and indigenous peoples.
Tolentino, who was born in Albay and raised in Tagaytay City, has also taught Constitutional Law at law schools in Manila, Cebu, and Dumaguete.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page following the announcement, he pledged to enforce all labor laws and regulations and vowed to return to national government to strengthen the ranks of Filipino workers and boost the economy.
“Tayo po ay nangangako na ating ipapatupad ang lahat ng batas at alituntunin para maitaas ang dangal ng manggagawang Pilipino,” Tolentino said.
“Ako po ay nagbabalik sa national government para tumulong at palakasin ang hanay ng manggagawa at papalakasin din ang ating ekonomiya. Maraming salamat po sa inyo, maraming salamat po. Mabuhay po ang Republika ng Pilipinas!”
